Paradox Interactive aims for its new grand strategy title, Afterworlds, to offer a smoother onboarding experience while retaining the strategic depth expected of the genre. Game Director Dan Lind stated that the team particularly wants to attract players who are interested in Paradox's titles but have been deterred by the steep learning curve.
Set in the post-apocalyptic wasteland of America, Afterworlds begins with players meeting basic survival needs before gradually expanding their influence, building strength, and seeking allies. Ultimately, they may need to confront the "Ancients," beings who achieved immortality through ancient technology and ruled the world long before its fall.
During Gamescom 2026, Lind introduced Paradox's ambition to create a new title that stands alongside series such as Stellaris, Europa Universalis, Crusader Kings, Hearts of Iron, and Victoria. Afterworlds is not intended to replace existing products but to offer a different grand strategy experience.
Instead of controlling an abstract nation or a specific character, players lead a group of people sharing common values. The team considered adopting a character system similar to Crusader Kings but felt it was unsuitable for a post-apocalyptic game exploring societal development. Players can either collect nuclear weapons to destroy the world again or attempt to rehabilitate contaminated lands.
Factions ruled by the "Ancients" typically serve as obstacles on the player's path, though players may choose to align with their strategies and goals. The development team avoids filling the world with fixed content, instead building a framework based on existing plans and conflicts, leaving room for players to alter the course of events and shape future history.
Lind also brings experience gained from developing Hearts of Iron IV into this project. While some processes can be automated, resource production and equipment manufacturing will still involve specific steps. The mission system helps players establish clear objectives, such as addressing issues in a particular region. Compared to the more rigid systems in Hearts of Iron, the new design is more flexible and reduces operational friction.
Lind believes there is always a tension between complexity and accessibility in grand strategy games; simplifying systems too much would strip the genre of its defining characteristics. Therefore, Afterworlds focuses on improving the initial player experience rather than reducing later-game depth. No release date has been announced yet, but the game is now available for wishlist on Steam.