In an exciting development for the gaming community, Liquid Swords, the new studio founded by Christofer Sundberg, has released a brief teaser for its first game, currently unnamed. The nine-second clip showcases a desolate cityscape, characterized by its industrial and abandoned aesthetic, evoking a sense of grim realism that Sundberg indicates will be a hallmark of the game.
The teaser features a gray city where a few cars traverse the empty streets, contrasted against the muted glow of light reflecting on the nearby river. Sundberg, who previously directed the Just Cause series at Avalanche Studios, has taken to Twitter to describe the game, which is temporarily referred to as “Game 1.” He notes that it aims to blend elements reminiscent of “Mad Max” with the narrative depth of “Max Payne.”
Studio Culture and Development Goals
Founded in 2020, Liquid Swords is actively working towards building a team of 100 employees by early 2024, which they believe is the optimal size for efficient game development. The studio promotes a culture free from “crunch,” emphasizing a balanced work environment to enhance creativity and productivity. Their website reiterates this commitment, stating clearly, “no crunch!”
Despite this forward-looking vision, February 2025 will mark a significant challenge for the studio, as they announced plans to downsize their workforce. This move, described as “deeply regrettable,” comes before they have officially revealed the details of their upcoming project, which has been characterized as a “narrative-driven, open-world, hardboiled AAA revenge story,” developed in Unreal Engine 5.
Sundberg’s passion for creating authentic and gritty gaming experiences is evident in his approach to Liquid Swords. He recently accompanied the teaser with a mission statement that highlights the studio’s values: “Be accountable. Work hard. Be human. Win.” These guiding principles resonate with the themes that fans of both the “Mad Max” and “Max Payne” franchises have come to appreciate.
As anticipation builds for this new title, it joins a growing list of open-world games capturing the imagination of players worldwide. The gaming community eagerly awaits further announcements from Liquid Swords, hoping to delve deeper into a narrative that promises to blend action with profound storytelling.
