Liquid Swords, a freshly established studio founded by Christofer Sundberg, a co-founder of Avalanche Studios and the former director of Just Cause, has recently unveiled a brief teaser for its first project, which is yet to be titled. This nine-second video showcases a desolate, gray metropolis that radiates an industrial and abandoned ambiance reminiscent of a deserted parking lot at midnight. The only signs of life in this forsaken cityscape are a few vehicles traveling at a brisk pace, while faint glimmers reflect off the surrounding river. Sundberg mentioned on Twitter that the game, temporarily dubbed Game 1, will ultimately emerge as something akin to “Mad Max… Payne.”
Sundberg expressed his sentiments regarding the studio’s direction, stating, “All respect to developers of fantasy/sci-fi games, but it’s just not for us,” indicating Liquid Swords’ apparent inclination towards a more grounded, realistic approach.
Studio Ambitions and Future Plans
Founded in 2020, Liquid Swords aims to assemble a team of 100 individuals, which they consider the optimal size for straightforward game development, by early 2024. However, in February 2025, the studio faced the unfortunate need to reduce its workforce shortly before they could fully unveil what they describe as “a narrative-driven, open-world, hardboiled AAA revenge story, developed using Unreal Engine 5.” It is assumed that this title aligns with the game currently being teased.
Based in Stockholm, the studio distinguishes itself with a commitment to a non-crunch culture, emphasizing their philosophy with a bold statement on their website: “Let’s say that again, no crunch!” Moreover, their meeting room showcases a collection of Air Jordans, reflecting their unique company culture.
With this teaser, Sundberg shared an inspiring mission statement: “Be accountable. Work hard. Be human. Win.” These principles resonate with the gritty themes associated with their upcoming game.
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