Paradox Development Studio is shifting from historical and sci-fi settings to a post-apocalyptic North America in its next grand strategy game, *Afterworld*. Revealed during Gamescom’s Opening Night Live, the game casts players as leaders of a surviving tribe navigating the ruins of a collapsed continent. The trailer draws clear inspiration from *Fallout* and *Mad Max*, though Paradox promises its own spin on the genre.
Survival mechanics take center stage as players scavenge for food, water, and resources while expanding their tribe. Unlike Paradox’s previous titles, progression is entirely organic: technology and ideas are unlocked through exploration, not pre-set tech trees. Encounters with other tribes, rivers, or dangers shape the tribe’s development, adding procedural variety to each playthrough. Ancients—immortal pre-collapse leaders—also loom as potential rivals, wielding forgotten tech to challenge survivors.
Led by former *Hearts of Iron IV* director Dan Lind, *Afterworld* blends elements from Paradox’s other grand strategy games, including *Stellaris* and *Crusader Kings*. Players can rebuild civilization, found religions, or migrate to new lands, with convoy systems managing supply lines. The game marks Paradox’s first non-historical setting in a decade, emphasizing player-driven storytelling in a world built from scratch.
