Game2015

Prison Architect

IndieSimulationStrategy

Developer Introversion Software, Double Eleven

Prison Architect is a 2015 private prison construction and management simulation video game developed and published by Introversion Software. 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 in pre-order sales for the alpha version. Prison… From Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0)

342 reactions from 3 sources (Steam reviews, Bluesky, Mastodon) · newest Oct 6, 2026 · last updated Oct 7, 2026 · How this works

Audience score

27
Rotten

69 positive · 191 negative
95% range 22–32%

Source+−=
Steam reviews691910
Bluesky *000
Mastodon *000

* shown, not counted in the score (label accuracy below our 85% bar or not yet audited).

82 newer reactions are still waiting for a label.

Steam's own rating
Very Positive
65,686 of 77,088 reviews positive (all languages, per Valve)

What people are saying

Most players dislike the game due to Paradox's changes.

Many players praise the original game by Introversion Software, calling it fun and addictive. However, they allege that after Paradox Interactive took over, the game became buggy and unplayable. [3][11][17][19]

Players criticise the addition of a Paradox launcher, which they call malware, and say it causes crashes. They also allege that Paradox locks features behind paid DLC and neglects bug fixes. [12][13][14][15][22][30][32][35]

Some players mention a review bombing incident related to a Discord moderator banning a Turkish user over an Atatürk avatar, but say it has nothing to do with the game's quality. [1][4][25]

Praised original game quality · addictive gameplay
Criticised Paradox launcher · bugs and crashes · overpriced DLC · poor post-acquisition support

Summary drafted by an AI model from the 36 reactions it cites ([n] links open each post), then checked by code: every paragraph cites real posts and every quote is verbatim. Written Oct 7, 2026. Method

Reactions

60 of 342 · most liked first
  • Steam user Steam user …1829Steam reviews · Sep 30, 2026 · 15 h played

    In case you're wonding about the sudden negative ratings: A moderator on the Heart of Iron Discord had an argement with and subsequentially banned a Turkish user that had an avatar of Mustafa Kemal Atatürk which then got picked up by some media as Paradox isulting Atatürk. Yes it's really that dumb. And it has nothing to do with either the developers, nor the quality of this game at all. It's all about the Publisher. People reviewbombing every game of a publisher over Discord drama should be…

    positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …5315Steam reviews · Dec 6, 2025 · 18 h played

    Worth it if you can find an old version of the game. Before Paradox got ahold of it Since they got ahold of it, they did the classic Paradox special: 1. Remove the old team 2. Replace them with a ♥♥♥♥♥♥ skeleton crew who will: 3. only pump out DLC 4. never update or fix any bugs Paradox isnt like a Spirit Halloween that sets up shop in the ruins of a store. No. theyre parasites. They setup in a thriving sandbox IP, and then gut the crew, and only churn out DLCs. Look at every game they…

    negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …0755Steam reviews · Aug 23, 2026

    >startup game >you have the paradox malware launcher Negative review required.

    negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …2104Steam reviews · Nov 3, 2025 · 332 h played

    Was good when Paradox didn't have their greedy hands on it. The game used to add features on their own without charging you money, now they lock mechanics behind a DLC paywall. Classic Paradox greed. Get the firgirl edition, whatever that means...

    negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …1276Steam reviews · Sep 20, 2026 · 160 h played

    I played this game before it was sold to the current company. It was absolutely fantastic then. I haven't played it since 2018 so decided to hop on and fart around with it. Now we have a worthless malware launcher for a game that absolutely does not need it and has never had it. Several game mechanics no longer work correctly. For example I had 15 janitors who were just hanging out in the cleaning cupboard while the entire prison was absolutely filthy, requiring me to hire another janitor…

    negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Morrigan @ragepyro.bsky.socialBluesky · Mar 31, 2025

    Hey I'm Morrigan, I worked on Jumanji the game, Prison Architect 2 and Lost Words! Programmer who's been all over the place at this point. I miss making indie stuff though, I miss the mystery box, it was great fun, collaborative alternate controller project. One day I'll revive it.

    unlabelledView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …8779Steam reviews · Aug 13, 2026 · 86 h played

    I used to love this game. However since the most recent update and added of Paradox Launcher. The game is unplayable. It crashes at startup and there is no fix. I have tried everything. Oddly enough the only thing that works is uninstalling the game and playing a pirated version with every single dlc added. Pretty lame way to develope a game. Only playable if you pirate it...wtf. Guess i wont be buying any dlc until this is fixed.

    negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …7003Steam reviews · Jun 21, 2026 · 415 h played

    It used to be a good game until they sold it and now it's been ruined by unnecessary DLC and props. Luckily you can go back to the update before paradox took over. Get it on sale.

    negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …0465Steam reviews · Jul 18, 2026 · 247 h played

    One of my favourite games ever, takes hours off your life seamlessly. Had potential to be an incredible game, shame it was sold to Paradox which plagued the game with bugs and a pathetic lack of effort. At times, it feels utterly unplayable after the acquisition, not to mention the catalogue of overpriced DLCs. There is a bug where your prisoners get stuck, which has forced me to quit the game as it is unbearable even with partial mod solutions.

    negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …1411Steam reviews · Mar 7, 2026 · 5 h played

    I owned this game before Paradox got it. I liked it. It was fun and unique, but now that Paradox has it, it's a strong avoid. That company is investor first, gamer last in its mindset. They only care about money and are eager to add in putrid business schemes like subscriptions for single player games (e.g. Cities Skyline). Additionally, they demand your legal rights to play. You should educate yourself on binding arbitration and how anti-consumer it is. All in all, I was a big fan of Paradox…

    negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …6111Steam reviews · Jan 10, 2026 · 366 h played

    I loved this game, I have several hundred hours of torturing prisoners and staff with terrible prison layouts. Unfortunately, since paradox took over it is basically unplayable. It is so buggy, doesn't run properly, and has a ♥♥♥♥♥♥ launcher. A real shame.

    negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …6161Steam reviews · Jul 26, 2026 · 340 h played

    Prison Architect was once a genuinely fun and addictive game. Unfortunately, Paradox Interactive took over after its original release and has since treated it like many of its other titles: squeeze as much money as possible out of the player base through an endless stream of DLCs while leaving serious bugs unfixed. Anyone familiar with Paradox's business model knows exactly what that means. Players get milked like cows, with content split into countless paid expansions—sometimes for additions…

    negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …2136Steam reviews · Apr 29, 2026 · 38 h played

    Use to be able to play the game offline, no weird additional accounts required, over elaborate terms and conditions (some one through what info they will take from you) all of that makes unplayable.

    negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Chloe Goodchild @gendertruckery.bsky.socialBluesky · Mar 31, 2025

    Hi! I do Design Consultation! I've DONE game design on some VR games, ShadowPoint, Battle Sister VR, then worked for years on Prison Architect 2 which might come out one day. We'll see. I started in indie & currently run WitchGraft Ltd while working a contract & my own personal project. c: 🫶

    unlabelledView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …6419Steam reviews · May 2, 2026 · 724 h played

    I do recommend this game, on sale. Do not ever play full price for this unless you're just stupid. I have owned this game longer than I have had Steam, I originally played a *arrg matey* version for a year prior to buying it on steam. I enjoyed watching Introversion develop the game. It was quite the experience and it was great watching the main aspects flush out. Even today that is still worth the time. Its a really fun game. Its quite enjoyable. But over time the game got buggy. Some…

    positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Jessica Price @delafina777.bsky.socialBluesky · May 21, 2026

    Again, what? “There's also the danger of a game, like the cancelled Prison Architect board game, potentially perpetuating real-world institutional oppression. But upon closer inspection, the matter may be overblown.” Funny Satan game is oppression against WHOM, my guy?

    unlabelledView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …4571Steam reviews · Mar 30, 2026 · 55 h played

    Yeah all these years i was waiting for useless DLC's and a launcher that is bigger than the actual game and slows down the startup. Epic P*radox moment

    negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …3932Steam reviews · Jan 23, 2026 · 69 h played

    I reinstalled the game after a very long time. Why is there now a weird obscure launcher that immediately installs itself through a non-descript windows installer when I click play? Super invasive, even if it's a launcher that was not required to launch the game before.

    negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …4499Steam reviews · Aug 26, 2026 · 8 h played

    For a game about building the controls and ui are really bad

    negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …1407Steam reviews · Aug 16, 2026 · 169 h played

    You're the warden. Make sure they don't kill each other. I've been playing Prison Architect since it first came out, long before it became part of the Paradox DLC machine. And honestly? It still absolutely slaps. Gameplay At its core, Prison Architect is a management and simulation game where you build and run your own prison. You design the facility, manage your staff, keep your inmates alive and reasonably happy, and most importantly, try to stop them from escaping. And I absolutely love…

    positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …2869Steam reviews · Oct 3, 2026 · 256 h played

    Ignore the review by bombing, people simply cannot accept that Discord rules apply equally to everyone.

    positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …6367Steam reviews · Sep 23, 2026 · 18 h played

    This negative review is a direct protest against the publisher, Paradox Interactive. Their official community team actively discriminates against Turkish players, spreads Turkophobic propaganda, and bans users simply for having Mustafa Kemal Atatürk—the founder of modern Turkey—as a profile picture. I refuse to recommend or support any product from a company that allows its staff to push racist agendas and rewrite history. I am boycotting all Paradox games.

    negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …4652Steam reviews · Aug 20, 2026 · 70 h played

    It's a great game. I got it in Early Access, long before Paradox got involved and played it back then until I had done everything the game offes. After building my perfect prison and escaping from it I had enough. But with Paradox now in charge I give the thumbs down. First order of business was to add DLCs and they just kept making more. I doubt anything that was made in the DLCs was so great, that it couldn't have been made by some hobby devs in the workshop FOR FREE. Instead Paradox sells…

    negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • GamingOnLinux 🐧🎮 @gamingonlinuxMastodon · Feb 14, 2024

    Paradox confirm no Linux support for Prison Architect 2 but investigating Steam Deck https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2024/02/paradox-confirm-no-linux-support-for-prison-architect-2-but-investigating-steam-deck/ #ParadoxInteractive #PrisonArchitect2 #PrisonArchitect

    unlabelledView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …8169Steam reviews · Dec 12, 2025 · 340 h played

    It was great when the game was first released by Introversion Software. It played well with no problems and if there was any, the developers fixed them quickly and respectfully. THEN Paradox bought the ownership of this game. Since it's been with Paradox it's been broken update releases, false news about the "new" Prison Architect 2 game and no communications from any of the team regarding anything. This game has become a flop, it's all about the DLCs and $$$. Some DLCs are good but they should…

    negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …0489Steam reviews · May 24, 2026 · 114 h played

    Paradox abandomed this game leaving it with a tons of bugs, troubleshooting takes more time than actual playing Not even the multiplayer servers work correctly

    negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …8538Steam reviews · Dec 22, 2025 · 12 h played

    the real reason to play this game is to follow around the one ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ who keeps stealing 10 sets of keys a day and tries to break out twice a day, yet fails every single time because he's a little twink who can't take a taser to the face

    positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Miyaoko 🐈‍⬛👑 @miyaoko.bsky.socialBluesky · Oct 24, 2024

    Stream End! Thank you for watching me play A Short Hike! A nice, short and sweet game that we finished in 2 hours! Any streamer looking for a good and cute 1-stream game, this is a good game to do it! Join me tomorrow at 4:00pm EST for Prison Architect!! #Vtuber #Vtubers #ENVtuber

    unlabelledView post →
  • Jeff STARGAZY Sheen @stargazy.comBluesky · Jul 4, 2023

    I'm STARGAZY 👋 Been making indie games since 2009 Programmer for Prison Architect, lead designer & programmer for Democracy 3 Africa + Democracy 4. My new strategy game is in development 🙌 I've written game engines; designed systems, AI, UX etc.; & run my business. I'm also a father 💖 #gamedev

    unlabelledView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …4115Steam reviews · Nov 8, 2025 · 4 h played

    Not worth it AT ALL at full price, if you are going to buy it wait until it goes on sale at a heavy discount here is why: BTW Paradox you only have yourselves to blame for this negative review....Are ya listening yet fellas?...Because you really need to listen. You REALLY REALLY need to get your heads out of where the sun doesn't shine and start listening. I know it's hard to admit that you F'ed up. And it's especially hard to admit that some of your customers actually understand certain…

    negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Pegaselkie @pegaselkie.bsky.socialBluesky · Aug 24, 2025

    Hello, we are a #gamedev duo from the lands of smørrebrød and pizza 🇩🇰 🇮🇹 We are developing a #pixelart management simulation game with deckbuilding elements about BOXING! 🥊 If you have ever wanted a child of Prison Architect and Slay the Spire, then give us a follow to come along the journey! 😁👍

    unlabelledView post →
  • Knoebel @knoebel.bsky.socialBluesky · Apr 26, 2026

    My answer: I have two games in mind. A Pokemon esq game were everything involves through to relationships and you have to talk and work with your party to "make it work". A factory planner game based on my job in the veins of Prison Architect.

    unlabelledView post →
  • hex @hex.kolektiva.social.ap.brid.gyBluesky · Mar 25, 2025

    [Nazis, historical genocide, and slavery... You know, normal USPol shit] Some years back a friend of mine related a conversation about the game Prison Architect. Basically someone had figured out a way to maximize profits by creating an area with bad wiring so that prisoners would end up being […]

    unlabelledView post →
  • Pegaselkie @pegaselkie.bsky.socialBluesky · Aug 24, 2025

    Hello, we are a #gamedev duo from the lands of smørrebrød and pizza 🇩🇰 🇮🇹 We are developing a #pixelart management simulation game with deckbuilding elements about BOXING! 🥊 If you have ever wanted a child of Prison Architect and Slay the Spire, then give us a follow to come along the journey! 😁👍

    unlabelledView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …3050Steam reviews · Sep 13, 2026 · 178 h played

    Should be called Bug Architect. Sadly the bugs make an otherwise fun game extremely frustrating.

    negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …8762Steam reviews · Jul 25, 2026 · 731 h played

    Buy Game Play Tutorial Wanna make big prison Spend 200 hours perfecting modern slavery Spend another 200 hours improving modern slavery with mods Now you have multiple big prisons with too many prisoners for your pc to hande You like game

    positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …9824Steam reviews · Jun 25, 2026 · 47 h played

    Prison Architect is one of those games that's dangerously good at making time disappear. You sit down thinking you'll fix a few cell blocks, optimize a couple work programs, and before you know it it's 2 AM and you're redesigning an entire maximum-security wing because one inmate stole a spoon. Even after nearly 50 hours, it's still incredibly satisfying watching a prison grow from a dirt lot into a fully functioning (and occasionally completely dysfunctional) correctional facility. The…

    positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …9152Steam reviews · Dec 24, 2025 · 26 h played

    ♥♥♥♥♥♥♥ third party launcher and a ton of DLCs. Game doesn't even work correctly either crashing on startup or multiplayer not working at all. Classic Paradox, stay away from any Paradox game.

    negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …2978Steam reviews · Aug 22, 2026 · 216 h played

    Fun game, but suddenly I can't play it because the launcher fails...

    negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …6359Steam reviews · Apr 27, 2026 · 6 h played

    everyone was angry and killing cops and overdosing and i couldn't figure out why. the only thing that fixed it was a room with a chessboard and a tv. 10/10 game

    positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …9550Steam reviews · Feb 6, 2026 · 4 h played

    very fun and enjoyable game worth it def when its on sale. i refunded it cuz rimworld was on sale and thats a MUCH better game.

    positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …6371Steam reviews · May 1, 2026 · 40 h played

    Game wont start ever since paradox was slapped on this game. don't buy, just look for some thing similar.

    negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …2095Steam reviews · Mar 22, 2026 · 99 h played

    The beatings will continue until morale improves.

    positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …4496Steam reviews · Mar 10, 2026 · 26 h played

    I bought Prison Architect because I thought it would be a calm little management game where I carefully build a secure, efficient prison and show off my massive intellectual power. What I actually got was a front row seat to 6 consecutive humanitarian disasters caused almost entirely by my own plumbing decisions. The first few minutes are always the same. You build a couple of cells, place down some showers, hire a few guards, and start feeling like a genius. You look at your little prison…

    positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Jeff STARGAZY Sheen @stargazy.comBluesky · Jul 4, 2023

    I'm STARGAZY 👋 Been making indie games since 2009 Programmer for Prison Architect, lead designer & programmer for Democracy 3 Africa + Democracy 4. My new strategy game is in development 🙌 I've written game engines; designed systems, AI, UX etc.; & run my business. I'm also a father 💖 #gamedev

    unlabelledView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …6220Steam reviews · Mar 25, 2026 · 114 h played

    Acquired by the eternal paradox interactive a long time ago and they are still trying to milk it with rushed and broken DLCs. Base game itself can be fun for some time, especially when using Luftwaffe Kriegsgefangenen-Mannschaftsstammlager or SCP mods but eventually gets boringly repetetive due to limited direct-action features. You WILL be forced to watch as your favorite dog handler gets shanked to death due to a lack of soylent in the cafeteria.

    negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …9540Steam reviews · Feb 1, 2026 · 848 h played

    A lot of reviews have this game as having a royal amount of bugs. To be honest I haven't seen to many bugs (except when I'm running a ridiculous amount of mods or have a 600x600 prison.) Some of the bugs can be quite annoying though and game ruining. Like in gangs I found one where when you kick a gang out it'll still say they own it causing you to never be able to use that room or demolish. Or inmates not doing laundry in one of my prisons or the game occasionally pausing for a minute or two…

    positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …5353Steam reviews · Mar 26, 2026 · 64 h played

    Paradox = Poison The beatings will continue until morale improves.

    negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …5767Steam reviews · Feb 26, 2026 · 22 h played

    its one of those games where you play non stop every day for 2 weeks, then forget about, and revisit like 6 months later and do the same thing. I LOVE IT

    positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …0654Steam reviews · Jan 11, 2026 · 97 h played

    For a start, never buy this game for full price. Not worth it. Still, I recommend this game when the approx. 90% discount is applied. So with a huge discount, this is the recommendation review. First played this game in 2017 and I just returned to it and found out it’s still the prison simulation game as it was, in a positive way. Nice, not to complicated, challenges. Huge fun to see the prison go loco-mode and failing in my damage control. Expanding the prison is not too difficult although…

    positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Pouchmouse @pouchmouse.comBluesky · Dec 14, 2025

    Steam: Would you like to buy Tingus Goose? Me: Yes, please. Steam: Did you know that it's similar to other games you play? Like Cities Skylines, and Prison Architect? Me: Okay, it REALLY isn't, but I'm going to buy it regardless. #gamedev

    unlabelledView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …2744Steam reviews · Nov 29, 2025 · 258 h played

    Since Paradox took over the game, it has gotten worse and worse. Bugs that haven't been fixed. Annoying Paradox launcher, no option to start the game directly. Lots of paid content.

    negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …4946Steam reviews · Nov 25, 2025 · 61 h played

    Sometimes i run norwegian prisions and sometimes i run concentration camps. Having fun no matter what and at -2093029 money no matter what

    positive · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Pegaselkie @pegaselkie.bsky.socialBluesky · Aug 24, 2025

    Hello, we are a #gamedev duo from the lands of smørrebrød and pizza 🇩🇰 🇮🇹 We are developing a #pixelart management simulation game with deckbuilding elements about BOXING! 🥊 If you have ever wanted a child of Prison Architect and Slay the Spire, then give us a follow to come along the journey! 😁👍

    unlabelledView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …8389Steam reviews · Sep 26, 2026 · 68 h played

    DLC scam, Racist community, Garbage in game developing, waste of time and money.

    negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • CloudyClairity @cloudyclairity.bsky.socialBluesky · May 7, 2026

    Going Live with Prison Architect!! Thank you to @lurkit-gg.bsky.social and Prison Architect for the copy of the game~ www.twitch.tv/cloudyclairity www.youtube.com/@cloudyclair...

    unlabelledView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …0132Steam reviews · Sep 24, 2026 · 13 h played

    as a real prison architect, this game is way too unrealistic.

    negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …9242Steam reviews · Sep 24, 2026 · 10 h played

    NOT RECOMMENDED Prison Architect was once an indie management darling under Introversion Software, but Paradox Interactive’s acquisition and subsequent DLC spree effectively ran the engine into the ground. What should be a sharp penal management sim is now a buggy, bloated framework held together by broken AI routines. Severe Pathfinding and AI Breakdowns: The game's pathfinding logic routinely collapses as soon as your prison expands beyond a couple hundred inmates. Guards get permanently…

    negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …3419Steam reviews · Sep 24, 2026 · 39 h played

    Don’t try to implement multiplayer, if it’s going to reflect the sub par quality that your publisher’s moderation team puts out.

    negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →
  • Steam user Steam user …5068Steam reviews · Sep 23, 2026 · 34 h played

    Although game provides almost perfect tycoon and simulation experience, there are still many areas this game lacks in means of sustainability because at some point player is susceptible to losing the desire to continue the save game. I find this kind of experience in the game a design error. And mostly I find this game utterly disappointing to continue. THEREFORE I DO NOT RECOMMEND THIS GAME TO BE PLAYED. I REGRET ALL THE TIME I PLAYED THIS GAME

    negative · reviewer's own thumbsView post →

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