Prison Architect 2: Everything We Know

Double Eleven and Paradox Interactive have announced Prison Architect 2, an all-new 3D business management simulation game that will look to establish a “greater degree of player freedom” through a revamped Career Mode and a slew of new sandbox modes and in-game features.

“Much loved features make a return to help you manage your inmates, quell riots, prevent escapes and share your prisons, but now cross-platform!” the press release continues. “In addition to a new upgrade system, a new Career Mode, and more. 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.”

At the time of writing, Prison Architect 2 will be shaping up for a Q1 2024 release on a multitude of platforms. Care to hear the whole story ahead of its arrival? Here's everything we can currently tell you about the upcoming expansion to the Prison Architect series.

What Is Prison Architect 2?

If you're something of a dab hand at managing the rotas from within the confines of a multi-tiered prison, then you'll probably have a clear understanding of how Prison Architect 2 will operate. In a similar fashion as the original, the game will allow players to not only build their own prisons, but also manage the day-to-day policies, as well as all of the labor costs and other intricacies.

“Prison Architect 2 is the 3D successor to their prison management simulator,' the press release reads in part. “The game offers deeper simulation, greater player control, an inhabitant behavior system, and creative options to define the next generation of management gameplay.”

It's a city-building game at heart, so you can definitely expect to see your fair share of research tabs, moodlets, and overseer options throughout your time as a warden. This time, however, it'll be completely three-dimensional, so expect more than a few 2D sprites and retro-like aesthetics, basically.

Story

Much like its predecessor, Prison Architect 2 will adjust to the decisions you make along the way, not only as the prison warden, but as the general overseer of the day-to-day activities, too. And so, whilst there probably will be a story (an episodic tale, of sorts), it seems that a lot of the game will revolve around the actions and policies that you establish. It’s also a sandbox game, so the sky well and truly is the limit.

It goes like this: you’re the newfound owner of a state-of-the-art rehabilitation and correctional facility, and, in the eyes of its inmates, the god that bears the power to not only pull the strings, but also tamper with them, tighten them, and of course, cut them however short you’re willing to cut. In this world, your decisions take a toll on those around you, including the inmates and the staff.

“Establish and run a true institution from the top, building up unique correctional facilities in a freshly upgraded Career Mode that will take you across a brand new world map,” the description adds. “Will your prisons end up being monuments to rehabilitation or retribution? Most importantly, will they pay the bills?”

Gameplay

Prison Architect 2 will play out in a similar fashion as the first game, only with some new improvements and 3D animations, to boot. It’ll also feature an entirely new Career Mode—a mode that will transport you to a new portion of the world and into the boots of a new ruler.

“Use your resources to build, manage, and control your prison in classic Prison Architect playstyle–now in 3 glorious dimensions!” the game’s description reads in part. “Design every corner of your prison and manage everything from daily schedules to policies, and ensure your prison is safe, self-sustaining, and secure.”

“Establish all of your prison infrastructure over multiple floors, and use tons of snazzy new tools that allow you to build a state-of-the-art correctional facility,” the description continues. “The design of your prison will affect every aspect of your inmates' lives, so make your schemes accordingly!”

Development

We're really proud to have been entrusted with the development of a sequel for this beloved IP.

Drawing on our years of experience working alongside Paradox Interactive on the first game, we're excited to take the franchise to the next level! https://t.co/NG2C64rAy3

— Double Eleven (@DoubleElevenLtd) January 16, 2024

Double Eleven, the studio behind the Prison Architect series, first announced its plans to revamp the business management sim earlier this month. Like before, the team released the initial info dump in tandem with a new trailer and a slew of in-game screenshots. According to the folks at both Double Eleven and Paradox Interactive, Prison Architect 2 will look to “provide an enhanced presentation of prison management” — and in 3D, no less.

“In Prison Architect 2, our team set out to create the next level in management gameplay,” said Double Eleven game director Gareth Wright in a press release. “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.”

Trailer

Paradox Interactive recently took the opportunity to introduce the latest 3D components of Prison Architect 2 over on its chosen streaming handles. You can catch a glimpse of what’s to come in the latest installment in the trailer embedded above.

Release Date, Platforms & Editions

Prison Architect 2 will be arriving on Xbox Series X/S, PlayStation 5, and PC via Steam on March 26, 2024. As for whether or not it'll launch on Xbox One, PlayStation 4, or Nintendo Switch is still anybody's guess. If we had to go out on a whim, though, then we'd say that the likelihood of it reaching ex-gen consoles is slim to nonexistent. Still, never say never.

Interested in staying up to date with the Prison Architect series? If so, then be sure to check in with the folks over at Double Eleven for all the latest developments via their official social handle here. If anything does change ahead of its 2024 release, then we'll be sure to fill you in on all the key details right here on gaming.net.

So, what's your take? Will you be picking up up a copy of Prison Architect 2 when it arrives on consoles and PC later this year? Let us know your thoughts over on our socials here.