Swedish game publisher Paradox Interactive is witnessing a wave of employee departures following the implementation of a strict return-to-office policy. The company, known for popular strategy titles like Europa Universalis, Crusader Kings, and Stellaris, has reversed the remote and hybrid work arrangements that were established during the COVID-19 pandemic.
According to an internal survey conducted by Swedish unions Unionen and SACO, representing Paradox staff, 54% of nearly 300 surveyed employees indicated they “might consider looking for new work” in response to the new office attendance requirements. The survey results and workplace concerns about office ventilation, temperature, fire safety, and noise were presented to management during an official consultation meeting.
Reports suggest the policy change has already prompted resignations among experienced staff members, including senior engineers and developers who prefer the flexibility of remote work. These departures pose a significant challenge for Paradox, as the company now struggles to replace lost talent in a competitive industry where many studios still offer hybrid or remote options.
Paradox management has defended the return-to-office rule by saying it will boost productivity and help teams work better together. However, a lot of employees aren’t convinced, pointing to strong performance during the remote work period and industry studies saying that remote arrangements can actually make development teams more productive.
Some industry watchers think the policy might be a sneaky way to cut staff without having to pay severance, since those who quit do so on their own. Others guess it’s about making office investments look worthwhile.
The timing isn’t great, since Paradox has already taken some heat in recent years for quality issues and buggy launches. Losing more staff can directly affect ongoing support for live games that rely on regular patches and downloadable content.
Crusader pings, Stellaris sighs
What’s happening at Paradox is part of a bigger trend, as game studios everywhere are stuck between old-school office requirements and the more flexible work setups that have become the norm in tech and creative roles.
Stockholm’s game dev scene is packed with competition, and many studios still let people work from home, which could make leaving Paradox even more appealing to valued employees.
For fans of Paradox’s games, the steady stream of departures raises some concerns about future updates for their favorite strategy titles. Institutional knowledge of complex game systems and codebases is crucial for maintaining game quality, and the loss of experienced developers could create ripple effects throughout the company’s portfolio.
