Paradox's next grand strategy game is taking cues from Fallout and Mad Max

Paradox Development Studio has unveiled its upcoming grand strategy game, Afterworld, during Gamescom's Opening Night Live. This new title takes a break from historical and space conquests to focus on post-apocalyptic North America. The game's trailer bears resemblances to Fallout and Mad Max, with features such as immortal leaders known as the Ancients and ancillary mechanics borrowed from Paradox's other titles like Stellaris and Crusader Kings.

At its core, Afterworld revolves around the player controlling a tribe of survivors, exploring the ruins of a fallen continent, and rebuilding civilization or creating something entirely new. As the player leads their tribe, they'll scavenge for resources like food and water, establish trade routes, and establish laws. The Ancients, with their access to forgotten technology, pose a significant challenge to the player.

One of the game's standout features is the ideas tree, which acts as the tech tree. This tree isn't predetermined, but rather unfolds as the player explores different aspects of their environment. Encountering a river, for instance, could unlock knowledge about irrigation, while interacting with another tribe might lead to discovering the organized religion idea. The procedural generation element ensures that each playthrough offers a unique experience.

Former Hearts of Iron 4 game director, Dan Lind, leads Afterworld's development. He emphasizes the novelty of the game's post-apocalyptic setting, stating that it's the first non-historical setting in a decade for Paradox. Lind also highlights the RPG nods present in the game, drawing from its other grand strategy titles.

Afterworld represents Paradox's first foray into a non-historical setting in a decade, with Lind expressing excitement about the diverse stories players will create within this new world. By destroying the remnants of the old world, players will shape the future of this untamed landscape.