Here’s everything announced at PDX Con 2021
Paradox Interactive is the publisher behind incredible games like Crusader Kings 3, Cities: Skylines, and Stellaris, many of which are even available through Xbox Game Pass on Xbox and PC. Today, Paradox held its (usually) yearly PDX Con event, which was all-digital this time around, to announce all the biggest things coming from in the future. To make sure you don’t miss a thing, we’ve rounded up everything announced at PDX Con 2021 for your convenience.
A catalog of games
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
All your gaming needs, in one subscription.
Is the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate the best value in all of gaming? It’s possible. Ultimate bundles your Xbox Live Gold subscription, an Xbox Game Pass subscription for both Xbox consoles and Windows PCs, and Xbox Cloud Gaming for on-the-go. Many great Paradox Interactive games like Empire of Sin and Crusader Kings 3 are available through Xbox Game Pass.
All the biggest announcements at PDX Con 2021
While there were many announcements and updates at PDX Con 2021, four in particular stood above the rest. Here are the biggest announcements at PDX Con 2021 you should definitely keep an eye on.
Victoria 3 — Coming to PC and Xbox Game Pass for PC
If you want to know more about Victoria 3, check out our Victoria 3 announcement post. Here’s a quick breakdown of what you need to know about Victoria 3.
- It’s an In-depth society simulator with over 100 societies to choose from.
- Accurate industrial era world with detailed population individuals, groups, and interest groups.
- There are layers of politics, science and tech, and economics to unravel.
- There’s a focus on diplomacy and negotiation over war and aggression.
- Multiple ways to play from economic micromanaging to political manipulation.
- You can choose between different society sizes with minor, major, and great powers.
Victoria 3 doesn’t have a release date yet, but it looks like it could be an incredibly exciting addition to the growing grand strategy genre. Players who are more than happy to sink hours into a single game should keep their eyes on Victoria 3, which is coming from Paradox Interactive at some point in the future. Victoria 3 will be PC-only, but it will be available through Xbox Game Pass for PC. You can see more images of Victoria 3 below.
Empire of Sin — “Make It Count” expansion
Here’s what you need to know about Empire of Sin: Make It Count.
- Adds a new boss with Murder, Inc. founder Meyer Lansky.
- Adds a new profession called The Fixer, which specializes in conflict mediation, area control, streamlined economics, and loan sharking.
- Has a new racket with loan sharks, which grants passive income out of existing storefronts, requires a Fixer, and adds a new layer of risk and reward.
- New maps, missions, and much more additional content.
Empire of Sin: Make It Count currently will arrive alongside the free “The Precint” update sometime in 2021, and it should be included with the Empire of Sin Expansion Pass, which you can get in the game’s Premium Edition. If you want to see more of the Make It Count premium DLC, you can check out some additional images below. Empire of Sin is available through Xbox Game Pass on PC, console, and Xbox Cloud Gaming.
Gangster strategy
Empire of Sin
Conquer 1920’s Chicago in style.
Empire of Sin is a riveting gangster strategy simulator from Romero Games and Paradox Interactive. It’s already enjoyed generous post-launch support, but the game is only getting started with the announcement of its first major premium content expansion, Make It Count, coming at some point in the future.
Crusader Kings III — “The Royal Court” expansion
- Adds The Royal Court, a new player hub where successes and achievements can be seen.
- Build up the grandeur of your Royal Court by spending money, holding court, receiving gifts, and more.
- Collect items and artifacts that have age, histories, and can even decay over time.
- Fill new court positions like the antiquarian, tutors, and food tasters.
- Huge changes to culture and ethos, including hybrid cultures and cultural divergence.
- Huge updates to traditions, which can provide niche effects to cultures and are more separated from religion.
Crusader Kings 3: The Royal Court doesn’t have a release date yet, but it should be included in the Crusader Kings 3 Expansion Pass, which you can purchase in its Royal Edition. If you want to see more of The Royal Court paid DLC, you can see more images below. Crusader Kings 3 is available through Xbox Game Pass for PC.
Medieval strategy
Crusader Kings 3
Make your name known.
Crusader Kings 3 is one of the best grand strategy games around, letting you become the most powerful nation in the world with in-depth strategy, politics, war, espionage, and so much more. The Royal Court makes Crusader Kings 3 even deeper with major changes to culture, traditions, and more.
Prison Architect — “Second Chances” expansion
Here’s what you need to know about Prison Architect: Second Chances.
- Prisoners now have a reoffending rate that wardens need to monitor.
- Multiple factors contribute to a prisoner’s reoffending rate, which can either fine or reward the player.
- Different reformation programs are available like therapy dogs, consultation, conflict resolution, and civilian mentorship.
- Two new job room types: bakery and restaurant, which give prisoners real-world job experience.
- Wardens can now adjust wages for all job types, monitor reoffending rates for the whole prison or individuals, customize prisoner uniform colors, and more.
Prison Architect: Second Chances launches on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation on June 16, 2021. The Switch release follows closely behind on June 29. Prison Architect is available through Xbox Game Pass for PC. You can see more pictures of Prison Architect: Second Chances below.
Become the warden
Prison Architect
Build the ultimate prison.
Prison Architect lets you design the ultimate prison to house a wide variety of prisoners. Its fifth paid expansion is coming soon, and Second Chances adds a new layer to be aware of: prisoner reoffending rates. Can you handle the challenge?
All the announcements at PDX Con 2021
It’s easy for smaller announcements to slip through the cracks left behind by headlining news like Victoria 3. Of course, we’re helping ensure you don’t miss anything with a list of all the announcements at PDX Con 2021.
Hearts of Iron IV five-year anniversary & “No Step Back” update
Cities: Skylines “Trains Stations” & “Bridges & Piers” Content Creator Packs — Available today
Stellaris: Console Edition Expansion Pass 4 & five-year anniversary — June 17
Surviving Mars soundtrack vinyl release
Pre-order the Surviving Mars vinyl soundtrack from here.
Empire of Sin: Make It Count
Crusader Kings III: The Royal Court
Prison Architect: Second Chances — June 16 & June 29
Victoria 3
A catalog of games
Xbox Game Pass Ultimate
All your gaming needs, in one subscription.
Is the Xbox Game Pass Ultimate the best value in all of gaming? It’s possible. Ultimate bundles your Xbox Live Gold subscription, an Xbox Game Pass subscription for both Xbox consoles and Windows PCs, and Xbox Cloud Gaming for on-the-go. Many great Paradox Interactive games like Empire of Sin and Crusader Kings 3 are available through Xbox Game Pass.
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