The studio behind Crusader Kings and Hearts of Iron just revealed its first non-historical title in a decade — Afterworld is a new strategy game set in an original post-apocalyptic America

Paradox Interactive, the studio behind Crusader Kings and Hearts of Iron, has announced its first non-historical title in a decade - Afterworld. Set in an original post-apocalyptic America, this grand strategy game aims to be the company's most approachable and easy to learn title yet. Created by Paradox Development Studio, the same team responsible for popular games like Crusader Kings 3 and Hearts of Iron 4, Afterworld offers players an entirely new vision of North America in ruins, ripe with resources to exploit, territory to conquer, and rival factions to engage with.

Players can choose to start their journey as survivors emerging from a hidden vault, fanatical zealots, or any other unique character type. The game's initial focus is on building a society and determining the laws and ethics of your tribe, gradually expanding to face other emerging powers. Paradox Interactive's game director, Dan Lind, emphasized that Afterworld is the first world they've built from scratch in a long time, and the first one where they've had the opportunity to destroy the old world before the game begins.

With its small-scale starting hours, Afterworld is designed to be accessible for newcomers to the genre while still offering the depth and complexity that fans have come to expect from Paradox Interactive's games. The post-apocalyptic landscape is filled with hazardous old technology and unknown dangers, as well as immortal "Ancients" who ruled the wasteland before the apocalypse. The game does not yet have a release date, but fans can add it to their Steam wishlist now.