Fans of Paradox’s grand strategy games are growing tired of paying premium prices for expansions that later become free—and feel ignored by the developer. The studio has now announced that the Man the Guns DLC will be bundled into Hearts of Iron IV at no extra cost, leaving those who paid for it out in the cold.

Paradox has cemented its place as one of the most influential names in the strategy genre. The Swedish powerhouse has delivered titles like Crusader Kings and Hearts of Iron, and it’s the fourth entry in the latter series that’s now at the center of controversy. Paradox Interactive has confirmed that Man the Guns, one of its key expansions for Hearts of Iron IV, will soon be added to the base game for free. The decision has sparked heated debate: while newcomers will now enjoy easier access to the content at no cost, veteran players who already purchased the DLC are demanding refunds or discounts, feeling shortchanged.

The controversy is fueled by the fact that this expansion isn’t new. Released in 2019 for €19.99, Man the Guns may not have been mandatory, but it introduced substantial content, including two alternate U.S. history paths and advanced ship design mechanics. Its importance was such that Paradox continued to sell it as part of the Starter Edition, alongside the base game and other add-ons.

In a surprising move, however, the studio announced that the expansion will be pulled from sale and permanently folded into the base game at no cost. Though no official release date has been given, the change is already causing backlash, as long-time supporters who bought the DLC will receive no compensation for their purchase.

This Isn’t the First Hearts of Iron IV Controversy

This situation is far from unprecedented. Previous Hearts of Iron IV expansions such as Together for Victory (2016), Death or Dishonor (2017), and Waking the Tiger (2018) were also made free after several years. Paradox has taken the same approach in other franchises, too: Europa Universalis IV expansions like Art of War (2014) and Common Sense (2015) were eventually integrated into the base game.

Loyal fans have long criticized this model, saying it essentially forces people to pay for “temporary exclusivity” that later becomes standard content. “What was the point of buying Man the Guns?” asked one disgruntled player, while another fumed: “People keep throwing money at them for low-quality products and terrible practices.” So far, Paradox hasn’t signaled any changes to its strategy, which means Man the Guns will indeed be free for everyone moving forward.

Source: GryOnline