Lego Skylines announced as Iceflake Studios shifts focus from Cities: Skylines II repair
Paradox Interactive has revealed a new blocky city builder developed by the studio currently tasked with stabilising the troubled Cities: Skylines II franchise.
Lego Skylines, a new city-building title built around the iconic toy brand, was officially unveiled at Gamescom’s Opening Night Live. The game is being developed by Iceflake Studios and will be published by Paradox Interactive, the long-time steward of the Cities: Skylines franchise.
While no specific release window has been confirmed, the title is slated for launch on Steam, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch 2. The announcement marks a significant expansion for Iceflake Studios, which is currently occupied with repairing Cities: Skylines II after the original developer, Colossal Order, was removed from the project following a contentious launch.
The new project is described as a “cozy” and “blocky” experience, blending the colourful aesthetic of the Lego brand with standard city-builder mechanics. Gameplay elements highlighted in the promotional material include residential house plots and the management of essential services, such as a fire brigade.
For Paradox Interactive, the move represents a fresh chapter for the franchise following the difficulties associated with the sequel to the original Cities: Skylines. The publisher has retained Iceflake Studios for this new venture, leveraging the team’s recent work on the existing title.
The announcement comes at a time when the development team’s reputation is under scrutiny. While some observers have noted positive progress in Iceflake’s work on Cities: Skylines II, the transition to a new IP introduces its own set of challenges for the studio.
With the release of Lego Skylines, Paradox Interactive aims to capitalise on the popularity of the Lego brand while providing Iceflake Studios with a new platform to demonstrate its capabilities in the city-builder genre.
