I’ve stopped buying Paradox games. I was a big fan of Colossal Order, the studio best known for the Cities: Skylines series. Before they got big with Skylines, they made the Cities in Motion public transportation management series. The first game in the series had a unique style and ambience and I loved the euro scenarios and cities. The 2nd one was a solid update, but lacked character; it was essentially a prototype for Cities: Skylines.

Both those games had many DLCs, but nothing like Cities: Skylines’ 69 DLC releases. That’s just too much, I would rather play one of the indie city-builders (e.g. Urbek City Builder) or the classics (Simcity 4, Simcity 3000).

I still mostly play V and IV, although I’ve been meaning to get into VI (have about 50 hours, but that’s nothing for a game like Civilization).

gamers are spiteful by nature

It’s funny but also somewhat true.

Maybe they’re just hanging on until some Chinese corp buys the name to obfuscate scammy phone apps with. I have no idea what they’re thinking.

Whatever their next steps are, I hope it’s not this.

How do you know it leverages “vibe coding” and AI generated assets?

The Steam page does not mention use of AI and Daedalic Entertainment (the publisher) is well established, I can’t see them allowing one of their development partners to lie about data that is required by Valve.

Don’t know about W11, but I was able to pay the GOG version on W10 a few years ago.

It really needs a re-master.

Discoverability is an issue with the OG name, although I agree with you in general.

I don’t think you can, but I could be wrong.