Iceflake Studios

Iceflake Studios
TypeSubsidiary
IndustryVideo games
Founded7 September 2007; 19 years ago (2007-09-07)
Founders
  • Lasse Liljedahl
  • Tapani Valkonen
Headquarters
Tampere
,
Finland
Key peopleLasse Liljedahl (CEO)
ParentParadox Interactive (2020–present)
Websitewww.iceflake.com

Iceflake Studios (registered as Iceflake Studios Oy) is a Finnish video game development studio that was founded in Tampere, Finland, in 2007 and was acquired by Paradox Interactive in 2020. They have developed games for desktop, mobile, and console, as well as modifications to games. They are primarily known for developing Surviving the Aftermath, and taking over development of Cities: Skylines II in early 2026.

History

Iceflake Studios was co-founded by Lasse Liljedahl and Tapani Valkonen on 7 September 2007 in Tampere, Finland. Prior to their founding, they developed a game modification for Battlefield 1942 called FinnWars [fi]. They initially developed small mobile games varying from golf and pool, to a puzzle game named Pirate Treasure, and a platforming game named Panzer Jumper. Their first non-mobile game, Ice Lakes, was released on Steam in 2016.

Surviving the Aftermath was Iceflake Studios' first game to receive a metacritic score, receiving mixed reviews. Paradox Interactive, the game's publisher, posted a teaser for the game on 7 October 2019. It was announced to be in early access on 19 October 2019 at PDXCON, and was publicly released on 16 November 2021. In March 2023 Paradox announced Rebirth, the third DLC expansion pack for Surviving the Aftermath.

On 17 July 2020, Paradox announced they would be acquiring Iceflake Studios, making it their ninth internal studio. Charlotta Nilsson, the COO of Paradox at the time, said "The collaborative efforts ... with Iceflake have given us all the confidence that this is a natural fit. Surviving the Aftermath fits the Paradox portfolio perfectly" within the announcement of the acquisition.

On 17 November 2025, Paradox announced that they and Colossal Order, original developer of Cities: Skylines II, would mutually "pursue independent paths". As a result, development of Cities: Skylines II moved to Iceflake at the beginning of 2026. The announcement disclosed that Iceflake would be responsible for the planned console releases, though Paradox did not announce a delay nor an anticipated release window. Some speculate this separation was influenced by Cities: Skylines II's poor release, reception, and ongoing development issues with Colossal.

Games

List of games

YearTitle PublisherPlatform(s)
2012Epic Speed Pro Iceflake StudiosAndroid, Windows Phone
2012Panzer JumperWindows Phone
2013Pirate TreasureWindows Phone, Android, iOS
2013Premium PoolWindows Phone, Windows 8
2014Pirates Don't RunWindows 8, Android, iOS
2014Premium MinigolfWindows Phone
2014Target HorizonAndroid
2016Ice LakesWindows, MacOS, Linux
2017Race ArcadeWindows, MacOS, Linux, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
2017Premium Pool ArenaWindows, MacOS, Linux, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Nintendo Switch
2021Surviving the Aftermath Paradox InteractiveWindows, Xbox One, PlayStation 4, Nintendo Switch
2026 Cities: Skylines II Windows, planned for Xbox Series X and Series S and PS5
TBA Lego Skylines Windows, Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S

References

  1. 1 2 "Paradox Interactive Acquires Finland-based Iceflake Studios". Paradox Interactive. 17 July 2020. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  2. ↑ "YTJ Tietopalvelu". YTJ Tietopalvelu (in Finnish). Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  3. 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Iceflake Studios". Iceflake Studios. Archived from the original on 6 February 2014. Retrieved 5 January 2026.
  4. 1 2 Bower, Amanda (1 August 2016). "Ice Lakes, by Iceflake Studios - An Indie Game Review". Indie Game Reviewer - The Best Indie Games. Retrieved 29 January 2026.
  5. ↑ "Surviving the Aftermath critic reviews". Metacritic. 10 June 2022. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  6. 1 2 Crowley, Nate (19 October 2019). "Surviving the Aftermath is out now". Rock Paper Shotgun. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  7. ↑ Brown, Andy (27 October 2021). "'Surviving The Aftermath' trailer reveals full launch date for the apocalyptic title". NME. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  8. ↑ GiN, Special to (31 March 2023). "Paradox Interactive Launches Their Third Expansion for Surviving the Aftermath". Game Industry News. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
  9. ↑ Goh, Clement (17 July 2020). "Paradox Interactive buys Iceflake Studios". CGMagazine. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  10. ↑ Romano, Sal (17 July 2020). "Paradox Interactive acquires Surviving the Aftermath developer Iceflake Studios". Gematsu. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
  11. ↑ "An Update on Cities: Skylines II". Paradox Interactive Forums. 17 November 2025. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  12. ↑ Dawe, Liam (17 November 2025). "Colossal Order and Paradox Interactive split with Cities: Skylines going to a new developer". GamingOnLinux. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  13. ↑ Erskine, Donovan (17 November 2025). "Cities: Skylines development moves to Iceflake Studios". Shacknews. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
  14. ↑ Carcasole, David (17 November 2025). "Colossal Order Is Splitting From Paradox Interactive and Leaving Cities Skylines Behind, Iceflake Studios Will Take Over". Wccftech. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
  15. ↑ Coulson, Josh (17 November 2025). "The Cities: Skylines Series Will Live On Under A New Studio Following The Sequel's Rocky Launch". TheGamer. Retrieved 7 January 2026.
  16. ↑ "Pirates Don't Run Windows, iOS, iPad, Android, AndroidTab game". ModDB. 21 March 2012. Retrieved 6 January 2026.
  17. ↑ Jagneaux, David (28 October 2016). "'Ice Lakes' Isn't The VR Fishing Game of Your Dreams, But It's Surprisingly Deep". UploadVR. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
  18. ↑ Watton, Neil (16 August 2017). "Race Arcade Review". TheXboxHub. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
  19. ↑ "Review: Premium Pool Arena (Nintendo Switch) – Digitally Downloaded". 21 February 2018. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
  20. ↑ "New Nintendo Switch Games This Week Include Dragon Quest Builders". GameSpot. Retrieved 4 April 2026.
  21. ↑ Steam (6 March 2023). "Cities Skylines II on Steam". Steam. Retrieved 6 March 2023.