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Paradox Interactive (2019−present)| director = | producer = Mark Morris| designer = Chris DelayMicrosoft WindowsMacOS>LinuxPlayStation 4>Xbox 360Xbox One>iOSAndroid (operating system)>Android|Nintendo Switch}}title=October 6, 2015Windows, MacOS, LinuxOctober 6, 2015PlayStation 4, Xbox One{{vgrelease|NA|June 28, 2016|EU|July 1, 2016|AUS|July 5, 2016}}Xbox 360August 2, 2016iOS, AndroidMay 25, 2017Nintendo SwitchAugust 20, 2018}}| genre = Construction and management simulationSingle-player video game>Single-player, multiplayer}}Prison Architect is a private prison construction and management simulation video game developed and published by Introversion Software.NEWS, Prison Architect lets you build the jailhouse of your dreams,weblink Wired News, November 30, 2011, Duncan, Geere, August 4, 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120707233420weblink">weblink July 7, 2012, dead, It was made available as a crowdfunded paid alpha pre-order on September 25, 2012 with updates that were scheduled every three to four weeks until 2023. With over 2,000,000 copies sold, Prison Architect made over {{US$|10.7 million|link=yes}} in pre-order sales for the alpha version.WEB,weblink Prison Architect rakes in nearly $11 million, Steinbach, Jonas, January 9, 2014, January 9, 2014, January 8, 2014,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20140108060822weblink">weblink live, Prison Architect was an entrant in the 2012 Independent Games Festival.WEB, IGF 2012 Main Competition Entrant: Prison Architect, The 14th Annual Independent Games Festival,weblink November 22, 2013, December 3, 2013,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20131203002444weblink">weblink live, The game was available on Steam's Early Access program, and was officially released on October 6, 2015.In 2019, Paradox Interactive acquired the rights to Prison Architect for an undisclosed sum.WEB,weblink Paradox Interactive acquires Prison Architect from Introversion Games, January 8, 2019, VentureBeat, Wilson, Jason, en-US, January 8, 2019, February 3, 2021,weblink live, A sequel, Prison Architect 2, is set to be released on September 3, 2024.

Gameplay

The game is a top-down 2D, with a partially 3D mode,NEWS,weblink How to activate Prison Architect 3D, Smith, Graham, Rock, Paper, Shotgun, March 8, 2016, April 1, 2016, January 15, 2021,weblink live, highly modifiable construction and management simulation, where the player has been hired by the CEO of a for-profit prison company to take control of building and running a prison. The player's role is of both architect and governor with sandbox micromanagement themes, responsible for managing various aspects of the prison, including building facilities, connecting utilities, and managing staff. The player needs to recruit specific staff to unlock some aspects of the game, e.g., information about the prison's finances is unavailable without an accountant.WEB, Prison Architect preview,weblink July 31, 2012, Tom, Francis, PC Gamer, August 4, 2012, August 4, 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120804044810weblink">weblink live, The player is responsible for the finances of their prison, and for meeting the needs of their prisoners, e.g., sanitation. The player is able to implement various reform and labour programmes that reduce the specific prisoner's recidivism rate. The player tells the prisoners what to do indirectly by setting their schedule.WEB, Prison Architect preview,weblink July 31, 2012, Tom, Francis, PC Gamer, August 4, 2012, August 4, 2012,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20120804044810weblink">weblink live, The game takes inspiration from Theme Hospital, Dungeon Keeper, and Dwarf Fortress.WEB, Official Prison Architect Page,weblink Introversion Software, July 30, 2013, July 29, 2013,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20130729204025weblink">weblink live, The player can allow additional conditions to be applied to their game, such as simulated temperature, gang activities and more extreme weather conditions, to increase the difficulty of the game and to simulate a prison in conditions nearer to reality. Players may opt to build a female prison, which necessitates the construction of nursing and childcare facilities for female inmates that are accompanying an infant. A player's prison is graded by an in-game report according to various factors including recidivism rate of prisoners that have left the prison, overall happiness and violence levels within the prison.Prisoners are classed according to five different security levels. Each corresponds to a different temperament and length of sentence, with, on intake, the higher security levels with more difficult reputations and more severe crimes but also awarding extra cashflow. Death Row prisoners arrive with a 'clemency' gauge, expressed as a percentage. This percentage can be lowered with successive failed Death Row Appeal sessions. Below a certain percentage, the prisoner can be executed without legal backlash to the facility regardless of the innocence of the prisoner. Should the Death Row prisoner pass an appeal, he may be released from the prison or transferred into the general prison population. There is also a Protective Custody class that players can assign prisoners as.Players can be 'fired' by the CEO by reaching a failure conditions, and the player is then prevented from further managing that prison. There are also options for 'creative mode' available on prison creation where, finance can be ignored, research is fully unlocked, and building is instant, among other changes.The first "official" non-beta release introduced an expanded story mode as a tutorial as well as an escape mode which casts the player as a prisoner with the goal of escaping, while causing as much trouble as possible.WEB, Prison Architect at EGX 2015 video,weblink September 27, 2015, With the addition of the Psych Ward DLC, players are given the option to house criminally insane prisoners, and build relevant facilities to meet their needs, such as padded cells, and hire additional personnel needed to keep them in check, such as orderlies and psychiatrists. Regular prisoners may become criminally insane when they experience excessive punishment or when their needs are not regularly met, such as lack of access to food or sanitation. Since Psych Ward, there have been 10 other DLCs released: Going Green, Perfect Storm, Island Bound, Gangs, Second Chances, Future Tech Pack, Jungle Pack, Free for Life, and Cleared for Transfer. Unfortunately, active development was ended with the Sunset update on May 16, 2023 due to the announcement of the sequel, Prison Architect 2.

Development

Prison Architect was developed by British video game studio Introversion Software. The game was announced in October 2011, shortly after Introversion postponed the development of their bank heist simulator game Subversion.WEB,weblink Introversion's new game is Prison Architect, PC Gamer, Future Publishing, Tom, Senior, October 20, 2011, October 11, 2015, May 29, 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160529233708weblink">weblink live, The game was first made available on September 25, 2012 as an Alpha version.NEWS,weblink Introversion Unveil Prison Architect's Alpha Launch, Jim, Rossignol, September 26, 2012, Rock Paper Shotgun, July 31, 2013, May 15, 2013,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20130515111527weblink">weblink live, The game was then crowdfunded with pre-orders, making over {{US$|270,000|link=yes}} in two weeks with close to 8,000 sales.NEWS,weblink Who Needs Kickstarter? Prison Architect devs want total control, Mike, Rose, October 10, 2012, Gamasutra, July 31, 2013, August 6, 2013,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20130806192100weblink">weblink live, Developer's co-founder Mark Morris explains that independent crowd-funding has allowed them to have no time limit on the Alpha version, as well as no fees associated with crowd-funding platforms. As of December 2013, the developers have raised over {{US$|9 million|link=yes}}.WEB,weblink $9 million and counting: why Prison Architect underlines a changing tide, Dave, Cook, December 5, 2013, VG24/7, January 10, 2014, March 6, 2021,weblink live, Introversion Software announced that a mobile version of the game was in developmentWEB,weblink Prison Architect will launch in 2015, Wesley Yin-Poole, Eurogamer, January 30, 2015, January 30, 2015, October 25, 2021,weblink live, and the PC version of the game officially launched on October 6, 2015.WEB,weblink Prison Architect set free October 2015, Wesley, Yin-Poole, Eurogamer, July 30, 2015, July 30, 2015, August 1, 2015,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20150801182428weblink">weblink live, WEB,weblink Version 1 will launch on 06 October 2015, us5 Campaign Archive, 2015, September 21, 2015, In Introversion's alpha 30 video,WEB,weblink Prison Architect Alpha 30, YouTube, February 27, 2015, October 11, 2015, July 17, 2023,weblink live, they confirmed Prison Architect was coming to iOS and Android in October 2015 with the game's official release. The developers posted a tweet on March 21, 2013, that "I guess Prison Architect won't be coming to iPad then! Your loss Apple", with a link to a Pocket Gamer article.WEB,weblink I guess Prison Architect won't be coming to iPad then!, Twitter, Introversion Software, March 22, 2013, October 6, 2015, September 26, 2023,weblink live, {{Primary source inline|date=May 2022}}NEWS,weblink Sweatshop HD is the latest victim in Apple's war on serious games, Pocket Gamer, April 27, 2017, March 5, 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160305010320weblink">weblink live, It was later revealed by the developer that the original direct port did not impress Apple. Due to the concern of it might not be featured on App Store's front page the project was set aside for a while.WEB,weblink Prison Architect iPad/Android - OUT NOW, Introversion Software, May 25, 2017, June 3, 2017, July 17, 2023,weblink live, The effort to bring Prison Architect to mobile devices was resumed by Paradox Interactive as the publisher and co-developed with Tag Games. The tablet version for iPad and Android tablets was launched on May 25, 2017.WEB,weblink Prison Architect: Mobile Available to Download Free Today, Paradox Interactive, May 24, 2017, June 3, 2017, {{Dead link|date=March 2023 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} Introversion announced on January 20, 2016 that Double Eleven would be bringing the game to Xbox 360, Xbox One and PlayStation 4 platforms. The console versions were released on June 28, 2016.WEB,weblink Prison Architect Headed To Consoles, Seth, G. Macy, IGN, January 20, 2016, January 20, 2016, July 17, 2023,weblink live, The Xbox edition of the game was released to subscribers to Xbox Live under the Games With Gold program in September 2018.NEWS,weblink Here Are All The Free 'Xbox Games With Gold' Coming In September (2018), Kain, Erik, Forbes, September 3, 2018, en, July 17, 2023,weblink live, On June 6, 2017, Double Eleven released a trailer for an expansion pack to the game, named Psych Ward, on their YouTube channel.WEB, Prison Architect Psych Ward DLC PS4 Trailer (ESRB,weblink YouTube, Double Eleven, 14 June 2020, Psych Ward was later released on Steam on November 21, 2019.WEB,weblink Prison Architect's Psych Ward expansion comes to PC on November 21, PC Invasion, Simmons, Ben, October 21, 2019, February 12, 2021, October 31, 2022,weblink live, Update 16, which officially introduced multiplayer mode to the game, was released on September 4, 2018.WEB,weblink Update 16 released - multiplayer!, September 4, 2018, Steam Community, Introversion Software, September 28, 2015, November 9, 2020,weblink live, The new mode allows up to 8 players to cooperatively build and manage a prison. This was later reduced to 4 players in a December 2018 update. On May 16, 2023, Paradox Interactive released The Sunset Update, the final update for the game.WEB, The Sunset Update is Live!,weblink Steam Community, May 16, 2023, Paradox Interactive, 16 May 2023, February 13, 2024,weblink live,

Expansion Packs {| class"wikitable"|+

!Name!Release Date|Psych Ward|21 November 2019|Cleared for TransferURL=HTTPS://WWW.EUROGAMER.NET/ARTICLES/2020-04-23-PRISON-ARCHITECTS-CLEARED-FOR-TRANSFER-EXPANSION-IS-FREE-AND-OUT-NEXT-MONTH-ON-PC WEBSITE=EUROGAMER ARCHIVE-DATE=MARCH 11, 2022 URL-STATUS=LIVE, |Island BoundDATE=14 MAY 2021 URL=HTTPS://WWW.EUROGAMER.NET/ARTICLES/2020-05-14-PRISON-ARCHITECTS-ALCATRAZ-INSPIRED-ISLAND-BOUND-EXPANSION-OUT-IN-JUNE WEBSITE=EUROGAMER ARCHIVE-DATE=MARCH 11, 2022 URL-STATUS=LIVE, |Going GreenURL=HTTPS://WWW.THESIXTHAXIS.COM/2021/01/16/PRISON-ARCHITECT-GOING-GREEN-RELEASE-DATE-GLASSHOUSE/ WEBSITE=THESIXTHAXIS ARCHIVE-DATE=OCTOBER 31, 2022 URL-STATUS=LIVE, |Second ChancesURL=HTTPS://WWW.THESIXTHAXIS.COM/2021/05/21/PRISON-ARCHITECT-SECOND-CHANCES-WILL-LET-YOU-REHABILITATE-YOUR-PRISONERS-IN-JUNE/ WEBSITE=THESIXTHAXIS ARCHIVE-DATE=OCTOBER 31, 2022 URL-STATUS=LIVE, |Perfect StormURL=HTTPS://WWW.GAMINGONLINUX.COM/2022/01/PRISON-ARCHITECT-PERFECT-STORM-DLC-AND-THE-TOWER-UPDATE-GET-A-SURPRISE-RELEASE/ WEBSITE=GAMINGONLINUX, en, |GangsURL=HTTPS://WWW.GAMESPRESS.COM/EN-US/GANG-WARFARE-AND-EXPANDED-REHABILITATION-PROGRAMS-ARE-NOW-AVAILABLE-IN/ WEBSITE=WWW.GAMESPRESS.COM ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20221031074836/HTTPS://WWW.GAMESPRESS.COM/EN-US/GANG-WARFARE-AND-EXPANDED-REHABILITATION-PROGRAMS-ARE-NOW-AVAILABLE-IN/, live, |UndeadDATE=OCTOBER 6, 2022 URL=HTTPS://MP1ST.COM/NEWS/HALLOWEEN-THEMED-PRISON-ARCHITECT-UNDEAD-EXPANSION-LAUNCHES-OCTOBER-11 WEBSITE=MP1ST ARCHIVE-DATE=FEBRUARY 23, 2023 URL-STATUS=LIVE, |Future Tech PackURL=HTTPS://WWW.GAMINGONLINUX.COM/2022/11/FUTURE-TECH-PACK-TO-BRING-MORE-GADGETS-TO-PRISON-ARCHITECT/ WEBSITE=GAMINGONLINUX, en, |Jungle PackACCESS-DATE=2023-04-11 LANGUAGE=EN-ZA ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20230411030950/HTTPS://WWW.MSN.COM/EN-ZA/ENTERTAINMENT/OTHER/PRISON-ARCHITECT-RELEASING-JUNGLE-PACK-DLC-AND-FREE-JAILHOUSE-UPDATE/AR-AA16TRYG, live,

Reception

{{Video game reviewsPUBLISHER=METACRITIC PUBLISHER=METACRITIC PUBLISHER=METACRITIC PUBLISHER=METACRITIC, April 23, 2020, DATE=OCTOBER 13, 2015 TITLE=PRISON ARCHITECT REVIEW GAMESPOT >ACCESS-DATE=DECEMBER 8, 2016 ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20161118011140/HTTP://WWW.GAMESPOT.COM/REVIEWS/PRISON-ARCHITECT-REVIEW/1900-6416278/, live, DATE=OCTOBER 6, 2015 TITLE=PRISON ARCHITECT REVIEW IGN >ACCESS-DATE=APRIL 1, 2016 ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20170902000107/HTTP://WWW.IGN.COM/ARTICLES/2015/10/06/PRISON-ARCHITECT-REVIEW, live, 5LAST=LAZARIDES DATE=JUNE 20, 2017 TOUCHARCADE >ACCESS-DATE=APRIL 23, 2020 ARCHIVE-URL=HTTPS://WEB.ARCHIVE.ORG/WEB/20190728201418/HTTPS://TOUCHARCADE.COM/2017/06/20/PRISON-ARCHITECT-REVIEW/, live, }}Upon its full release, the game received positive reviews, scoring 83 out of 100 on review aggregator site Metacritic. IGN awarded it a score of 8.3 out of 10, saying "Prison Architect is one of the most in-depth, satisfying builder games in ages, if you can get past the initiation." On April 7, 2016, Prison Architect won the 2016 BAFTA award in the Persistent Game category.WEB,weblink BAFTA - Games in 2016, April 29, 2016, April 11, 2016,weblink" title="web.archive.org/web/20160411143736weblink">weblink live, Prison Architect was also nominated for the 2016 BAFTA award in the British Game category, which was won by (Batman: Arkham Knight).As of September 26, 2015, Prison Architect had grossed over $19 million in sales, and over 1.25 million units of the game had been sold.WEB,weblink Prison Architect earns $19m from 1.25m sales - but what's next?, Robert, Purchese, Eurogamer, September 30, 2015, September 30, 2015, February 6, 2019,weblink live, By the end of August 2016 when the final version '2.0' of Prison Architect was released, the number of individual players was given as two million.NEWS,weblink Version 2.0 released, August 26, 2016, September 7, 2018, en, July 25, 2019,weblink live, In June 2019, it was announced that the game had been downloaded over 4 million times across PC, console and mobile.WEB,weblink Prison Architect surpasses 4 million players, Jeff, Grubb, June 27, 2019, VentureBeat, June 24, 2020, July 7, 2022,weblink live,

Sequel

A sequel, Prison Architect 2, is set to be released on September 3, 2024, for Windows PC, PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and Series S by Double Eleven and publisher Paradox Interactive.WEB,weblink Prison Architect 2's release delayed due to 'new technical challenges', has its sentence extended until September, Rick, Lane, PC Gamer, April 19, 2024, April 20, 2024, Unlike the first game, Prison Architect 2 is fully 3D and allows players to construct prisons over multiple floors.WEB,weblink Prison Architect 2 is official, bringing Paradox's jail management sim to 3D, Katherine, Castle, Rock, Paper, Shotgun, January 16, 2024, January 17, 2023, January 16, 2024,weblink live,

See also

• Prison Tycoon
• The Escapists

Notes

{{Notelist}}

References

{{Reflist}}

External links

• {{Official website}}
• Official wiki

{{Introversion Software}}