Paradox Development Studio has officially confirmed Afterworld, a new grand strategy title set in a post-apocalyptic version of North America. The reveal occurred during Gamescom's Opening Night Live, showcasing a game that prioritizes exploration and survival as players attempt to rebuild civilization from the ground up.
Core Gameplay and Features
Unlike previous Paradox titles, Afterworld begins with players managing a small tribe that must secure basic necessities like food and water. As the tribe grows, players can establish laws, found religions, and utilize pre-collapse technology discovered in the ruins. The game features a unique "ideas tree" system; rather than a static list of technologies, your tribe unlocks new ideas based on their direct experiences, such as encountering rivers or interacting with other groups.
The world is populated by "Ancients"—immortal leaders from before the collapse who compete for control using forgotten technology. Players can customize their tribe's origins, including scenarios like emerging from a bunker, and have the freedom to manage trade routes, convoys, or choose a nomadic raiding lifestyle if their current territory becomes untenable.
Development and Design
The project is led by Dan Lind, known for his work as game director on Hearts of Iron 4. The studio has described Afterworld as its first non-historical setting in a decade, noting that the world is procedurally generated, ensuring that while geography remains consistent, the distribution of resources, dangers, and tribal encounters will shift with every new playthrough.
Quick Facts
- Developer: Paradox Development Studio
- Lead Developer: Dan Lind (former Hearts of Iron 4 game director)
- Setting: Post-apocalyptic North America
- Key Mechanics: Exploration-based "ideas tree," tribe management, and procedural tribal/resource generation