Prison Architect 2 Announced, Coming This Year

Released into Early Access in 2012, Introversion Software’s Prison Architect became a major success story for the realm of Early Access on Steam and crowdfunding. The private prison builder/management sim is one of my favorites of the 2010s, a perfect recapturing of the tycoons and theme titles of the 90s we all love because we were all born in the 90s or prior. I’m not getting old, I promise! Well, in 2019 Paradox Interactive purchased the name, leaving Introversion to move on to The Last Starship and allowing Double Eleven to take over development.

As announced yesterday by Paradox Interactive, the British studio is set to release a sequel this year. Double Eleven is mostly known for ports and publishing work, such as 2017’s Zelda-like, Songbringer. The thing is, Prison Architect 2 isn’t releasing later this year around August, or anything like that. It will be released across multiple platforms on March 26th, 2024. A 3D successor to the prison management title, you’ll be able to play on Steam, Xbox Series X|S, and PlayStation 5. This is what the Press release has to say:

“Prison Architect 2 offers advanced simulation systems, enabling players to construct intricate compounds with a high degree of creative freedom in a 3D environment. From building elaborate structures to managing inmates’ needs while maintaining the facility’s financial stability, Prison Architect 2 expands gameplay and creative tools across the board, for an engaging sandbox experience.

The game also introduces a connection system between the prisoners, who will make friends or enemies with each other, impacting who they will hang out, partner[,] or fight with. Prison Architect 2 brings prison construction and management gameplay to a new level by entering the third dimension and bringing deeper simulation than ever before.”

Game Director at Double Eleven, Gareth Wright, said: “In Prison Architect 2, our team set out to create the next level in management gameplay. A greater degree of player freedom, impactful choices, and inmate simulation come together to provide an enhanced presentation of prison management, in a 3D world.” Assuring players Wright went on to say, “Much loved features make a return to help you manage your inmates, quell riots, prevent escapes[,] and share your prisons, but now cross-platform! In addition to a new upgrade system, a new Career Mode, and more.”

Wright concluded with, “We look forward to seeing how players get creative with multiple floors and catwalks to finally construct and expand in 3D. And then optimize and balance their prison’s safety, security[,] and self-betterment.“

From what is shown, I am certainly intrigued, at least by the change in perspective and art style. The art style has a history of trying to hide shallowness with a bit of glitz and polish, something I hope is not lost from the grimy and disturbing nature of running a private prison for profit. Being able to build up instead of out (all the time) should be interesting too. Especially with the performance woes some PCs could have after lots of building.

I know I am going to be looking to play as soon as possible, but we’ll all have to wait until March to find out more details. Those who do look to pick up Prison Architect 2 on PC, Xbox Series X|S, or PlayStation 5 can do so at any time, with the recommended retail price being $39.99, £34.99, €39.99, or your regional equivalent. Pre-orders are available now, but after the performance and reception to Cities: Skylines 2, I’d hold off until I knew more.