In 2020, the coronavirus global pandemic led to the cancellation of E3 and a number of other video game-related events, conferences, and competitions. Many developers, having already prepared their showcases for the entertainment expo, resorted to digital presentations and livestreams. Among them was publisher Paradox Interactive, which broadcast the Paradox Insider livestream during a multi-show Guerrilla Collective event.
Nixing E3 led many to wonder about the future of the show, as game companies discovered that it was possible to share their upcoming titles without shelling out the cash for display space on the convention center floor. Sony had already chosen to opt out of E3 2020, even before the pandemic, and Blizzard has hosted BlizzCon successfully for years. The general consensus seemed to be that, while big companies fared well without E3, smaller developers and publishers struggled to attract attention for their online announcements.
Nevertheless, Paradox Interactive has announced that it will be hosting another online showcase as part of Game Dev Direct, a two-day event featuring various game developers and publishers brought together by The Media Indie Exchange. On Saturday, March 13, beginning at 11 a.m. Pacific, the game publisher will livestream the Paradox Insider event on its Twitch channel, called ParadoxInteractive.
The digital event will present upcoming titles from the publisher’s vast catalog, giving gamers the opportunity to view new trailers, game content, and interviews with some of the developers who publish their games under the Paradox Interactive label. Those who missed last year’s debut Paradox Insider event can still watch the video on YouTube.
Publisher Paradox Interactive has founded or purchased a number of independent development studios since 2004. Some of the titles that are expected during the Paradox Insider streaming event are Vampire: The Masquerade Bloodlines 2, whose anticipated release has been delayed twice, and Crusader Kings 3, which launched in September 2020 and already has one DLC expansion available for preorder. Paradox Interactive has also announced upcoming expansions for Stellaris and Europa Universalis 4, and news about Surviving Mars has also recently been teased.
Other companies taking part in the Game Dev Direct show are Akupara Games, Another Indie, Graffiti Games, publisher and developer Headup, and Whitehorn Games, who will share news on their individual projects. The event begins at 9 a.m. Pacific on March 13, two hours before the Paradox Insider showcase, and will continue through March 14. Additional studios are expected to participate as well, and the schedule will be updated with more details as the event approaches.
Source: Paradox Interactive, PCGamesN