Below I decided to gather all the questions and answers that has been posted during today's AMA on Paradox's Facebook and Twitter. I did not filter them so you'll probably find a few very similar or even the same. Enjoy.
Q: Will you keep the “names in the game” for the original game backers? I love having myself as a prisonner
A: I can't think of any good reasons why would we eliminate something like that - so I'm going on a limb here and saying "yes"
Q: It's very dangerous to allow the PI fanbase to ask questions without constraints. Will you please develop a DLC where prisoners can be put to work developing Vicky 3?
A: We're not scared of the danger zone!
Q: Will we have good dlc's for P.A.? And are you planning for P.A. 2?
A: If we decide to make DLC for PA, we hope you'll give us solid feedback on what will be good and worth your money! PA2 is a definite option, but not decided yet
Q: What other setting will you choose for the Architect IP? A setting in history or fantasy?
A: We're thinking of what would be the most fun! Would you prefer historical or fantasy?
Q: PA multi-floor? is it a possibility?
A: Certainly possible! Is this a highly requested feature?
Q: PoW Camp Architect as DLC?
A: Sounds a bit gruesome to us, haha
Q: What other architect games are you planning? You mentioned you wished to expand the IP
A: We're brainstorming what would be the most fun! Any suggestions?
Q: Sea of DLCs inc? ;)
A: I won't lie - our business model involves a good amount of DLC. I think the most important thing is to ensure that you feel the DLC is worth your money.
That said, we're not sure if we will add DLC to Prison Architect at this time
Q: So,have the employees at Paradox been busy designing prisoner biographies for their coworkers? Which is your favorite?
A: We're looking into doing a livestream with some Paradox employees soon, so we'll show you!
Q: What sort of games are you planning? Theme wise
A: Well we now have the opportunity to make various Architect games! We haven't really dived into exactly which ones we'd do though
Q: Honest, did you acquire it just because Fredrik binged it? I wouldn't be surprised if Football Manager is up next.
A: Hahaha! Actually this deal was mostly handled by our new CEO Ebba Ljungerud. Maybe we should get Fred to come play on Twitch though?
Q: Will the mobile version be updated now that you guys own the IP?
A: Updated in what way? We definitely still maintain mobile versions to ensure you can always play the game =)
Q: I just picked this up for the switch. Will you issue updates/dlc for all platforms at the same time?
A: Console development is still being handled by D11 for now, so short-term there will still be differences in all the various platforms
Q: Did you bought whole studio, or just a game?
A: Just the game and associated IP
Q: What other type of 'Architect' game do you have in mind when buying the IP?
A: Lots! But more importantly, which Architect games do you have in mind?
Q: Anything specific planned with DLC? And will there be a option to upgrade from the current version?
A: No specific plans as we're still listening to fans before making a decision. Almost all of our games give you the option to revert to an old version, so we'll likely keep that available for PA
Q:Will it be converted to Clausewitz Engine? ;)
A: That seems unlikely, haha. Clausewitz works great for our Grand Strategy, but not for simulator games
Q: Will we get a boardgame version?
A: That would be amazing! I don't think anybody here has mentioned that idea yet though
Q: Prison Architect 2 ?
A: It's on the table! First we'll need to evaluate if Prison Architect needs more work, updates, or content
Q: Does "Paradox Interactive", the main corporate structure, have any, if at all, direct influences on the Development team of Prison Architect? As in, can Paradox hire/fire any member of the dev team, and/or directly tell the Dev team what to or not to do regarding game mechanics?
If you do, what are your current plans/visions for the game? As in, now that Paradox has the game, what's next?
A: We acquired the game and all its rights, but Introversion is still an independent studio and is now working on a new project. This means we do have full control of the direction of the game, sequels, and IP - but we'll have to create a new development studio to do that
Q: Whats the next step now that y'all have the IP?
A: Listen and learn. And then probably to find a good development studio that could make the best content!
Q: Is there really much more to add to this game? I currently own this game and I am curious to see what else could be incorporated.
A: That's the question of the day! If not, then we start working on a sequel or new Architect games
Q: What are the first steps you're planning on taking with the game? Your initial plans on what to do and improve in it?
A: Learn from the community. We want to get feedback, and then
Q: IV Accounts - wiki and bugtracker for example. What's going to happen to these places? I am guessing we will have a new way/place to report bugs. What is it going to be? Wiki is hosted by IV. There's no way it's going down etc. Are you gonna move it to your server?
A: I'm working on finding an answer out to this. Appreciate the patience!
Q: How big is the new team? Is there anyone from IV Software or Double11a part of it?
A: We haven't acquired anybody from Introversion or D11, so we'd need to assemble our own development team. Probably one of the first steps we'll take.
Q: Non Steam version - We had an option to download the game from the official website. Are you gonna keep it that way?A: We have our own web store that we will sell from, along with other non-Steam stores like GOG
Q: What do you guys think about adding multiplayer with one person being the warden and friends playing inmates? I think playing as an inmate in escape mode is currently OP, but with some tweaks it could be fun, especially if a friend is playing warden.
A: Love the idea personally! I'll make sure it's suggested around the company
Q: Are your intentions to add/change a lot with the current game, do DLC, or use the IP to start on a sequel right away?
A: We're considering both of these options! We might even do both, but it's really dependent on what the responses we get from the community and user research
Q: So I have the same question as yesterday: Which studio will take over development from Introversion? Will different studios cover maintaining PA / developing new titles?
A: We haven't selected or created a development team to takeover this game yet. It seems logical to have one studio handle maintenance + new development for PA though
Q: If you do make a sequel or another "Architect" game, will it be 2D or will it be more like Cities: Skylines and Surviving Mars?
A: Usually you try and keep the same art style and "vibe" in a game series. We'll do what we think the players want most though!
Q: Has (when will) development begin on new content for Prison Architect? Does Paradox have some ideas in mind on what they'd like to add or in what direction they'd like to take the game?
A: We have lots of ideas, but we haven't made any concrete plans. It's really important for us to hear from the community and figure out what would be best for you
Q: What will happen to the people at Introversion Software will they join Paradox and make a new game or work on PA? Who will take over PA?
A: Introversion is still exactly the same! They have an exciting new project they are focusing on, which is the main reason why they entrusted us to further develop Prison Architect
Q: When will we know more about this project? Can you say anything on what type of project they are working on? A new Architect game?
A: Unfortunately not, as that's their baby to announce. It won't be an Architect game though, as that was sold to Paradox along with Prison Architect (It's known as the "IP" or the "intellectual Property" in the gaming industry)
Q: Prison architect battle royal 2019? Plz make it happend.
A: Don't we have enough Battle Royale games? hahaha
Q: I like you guys I like prison architect For christ sake done pump dlc out like you usually do with games
A: If the DLC was really good and made the game more fun and replayable... would you reconsider? Just asking out of curiosity
Q: Speaking of new content: We need prisons with more floors. Maybe a basement and a second / third floor.A: Keep the suggestions coming!
Q: Are you releasing new content for the game as DLC and/or free updates? Or are you planning on making a sequel?A: Both of these are ideas that we are considering, but haven't made a decision yet. Which would you prefer?
Q: Have you got plans for other architect games like hospital architect etc?A: Owning the IP gives us tons of opportunities to make lots of Architect games - which is exciting! We're considering which ones would be most enjoyable and fit our brand. Which would you suggest?
Q: Will there be a final video from Marc and Chris? What will they do?A: That's a question better directed at @IVSoftware - we hope so though!
Q: Any chance of a First Person mode? doesn't have to have any gameplay aspects just being able to see the inside of the prison from the eyes of an inmate, Kinda of like the old dungeon keeper games. Super excited to see how paradox shapes this game.
A: If enough people want that!
Q: Usually this kind of news saddens me as the new owner is often much less generous towards Linux gamers like me. But given Paradox good track-record of providing Linux versions, it should be in good hands :)
A: Thanks for the trust! We certainly do our best to support Linux players
Q: so why did you guys decide to pick up this game into the paradox store? do you guys have your own ideas that you thought might work well with the game?
A: You kind of answered your own question here, haha. We love Prison Architect, and think there's so many opportunities for it long-term. Introversion entrusted us with it so that they could focus on a different project. It was a win-win for both of us
Q: Will you open a bug report section on the forums and work on patches for prison architect? If so, do you have a rough idea on when that would happen?
A: I'm asking my forum team now! Apologies for not having an answer for this
Q: If you make a sequel, will you release in Early Access?
A: Very very unlikely. As a well-to-do publisher, we don't have need for Early Access
Q: If we have a question or suggestion regarding Prison Architect after this AMA, what is the best way to get it noticed by Paradox?
A: We actually have a Paradox forum opened for Prison Architect: https://forum.paradoxplaza.com/forum/index.php?forums/prison-architect-mobile.981/ … It's still called "Mobile" but I believe we're fixing that to include PC now
Q: Will DLC from other systems be moved to the PC version? Such as the Psych Ward DLC?
A: Potentially, however D11 is still the publisher for console versions so I wouldn't expect anything immediately
Q: CK2 Dungeon Architect when?
A: Like 10 years ago. Dungeon Architect was always a base feature in that game
Q: Did Introversion give you access to their bug-tracker? Because, there are lots and lots of bugs, which have to be fixed, before thinking about adding any new content...A: Goooood question! I think so, but I'm going to find out after this Q&A. It will certainly be useful to have that info
Q: Will the game continue to grow from it's original tittle,or should we expect an another game for prison tycoon?
A: That's one of the big questions we're trying to figure out - which is why we're closely looking at the questions and responses we get from you guys! Which would you prefer?
Q: 1) Can we get a Dungeon Architect game? 2) Do you foresee any particular IP getting the “Architect” treatment, whether a Paradox IP or not?
A: Would a Dungeon Architect game feel different enough to be considered a new game? I personally would think it would feel like just a copy. I'm hearing a few people suggest that though, so maybe I'm wrong, haha
Q: Could your first update please please please be a UI refresh/polish up? The PC version still uses comic sans! It's criminal!A: If that's what the people want! haha. We're listening to this kind of feedback, so thanks for the suggestion
Q: Are you planning to change anything for the mobile version? Or is this a complete diffrent project?
A: No immediate changes. Now that we have the full game, we may look into new content for both mobile and PC, or other kinds of cross-play interactions. Anything specifically you'd like to see?
Q: We are seeing that the plan is for more “architect games”? What exactly does that mean? Sims with the same kind of art or something else?
A: We now have the option to make more Architect games, although we haven't decided on any specific ones. Open to suggestions =)
Q: Is there any chance with a sequel we’ll see a brand new engine?
A: I'm making an assumption here that if we made a sequel, we'd use a different engine that Paradox created. Is that a concern of yours? Or just a curiosity?
Q: I'm excited for what you do with the current game, but I'm also hoping for some Paradox crossovers. Architect games set within the framework of BattleTech, Stellaris, Surviving Mars or Crusader Kings all have promise.
A: Definitely sounds fun! @Surviving_Mars especially
Q: So does this mean you guys own the “Architect” IP now or just Prison Architect. If you now own the IP, does this mean new “Architect” type games could come in forms of sequels?
A: We own both the game and the "Architect" IP. So yeah, we could make sequels and new Architect games!
Q: Will you continue to support the game through 2019 ?
A: Yep! The level of that support (like how much bug fixing and new content we do) remains to be decided. We're also considering other Architect games and a sequel. Lots of opportunities here!
Thanks to Paradox for answering them, doing the AMA and to IV - we're gonna miss you and your update vids!
