Avalanche Studios
Avalanche Studios business and news from across the web.
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Third Straight Year Of Layoffs Hits Until Dawn, Little Nightmares 3 Dev Supermassive
Supermassive Games has announced layoffs affecting up to 75 employees, marking the third consecutive year of significant job cuts at the studio. The developer cited "sustainability" as the reason for the reductions, which follow recent releases and acquisitions. This news comes amid similar workforce reductions at other studios owned by Nordisk Games, including Avalanche Studios and MercurySteam.
Ustwo Games was pushed out of mobile by the rise of free-to-play – but the mobile way of doing things is coming to PC
Ustwo Games is shifting its strategy from mobile-first to PC-first, citing the dominance of the free-to-play model on mobile and a desire to focus on premium, narrative-driven experiences. CEO Maria Sayans and CCO Daniel Gray explained that while this transition is challenging, the studio aims to retain its core identity while adapting its development philosophy for a new audience. Other mobile-focused companies like Outfit7 are also exploring PC releases, indicating a broader trend of diversification within the industry.
After leading the studio through 2 rounds of layoffs and 1 game release, the CEO of Supermassive is stepping down
Robert Henrysson, CEO of Supermassive Games and Nordisk Games, is stepping down from his roles. During his tenure, he oversaw the release of Directive 8020 and led the studio through two rounds of layoffs. Henrysson expressed gratitude to the team and indicated openness to future advisory roles in the games industry.
5 promising games recently cancelled by Microsoft
Microsoft has recently cancelled several promising game projects, including 'Odyssey,' 'Everwild,' 'Perfect Dark,' 'Contraband,' and 'Project Blackbird,' as part of a broader cost-cutting strategy under new CEO Asha Sharma. These cancellations have led to studio closures and significant layoffs, with former employees expressing disappointment over the loss of potentially exciting titles and the shift away from riskier, ambitious projects.
theHunter: Call of the Wild - Peru Hunting Reserve
The new Peru Hunting Reserve DLC is now available for theHunter: Call of the Wild, adding new environments and prey. Developed by Expansive Worlds and Avalanche Studios, this DLC expands the sport hunting simulation for PC and console players.
Embark on a new Hunting Adventure as the Peru Hunting Reserve launches today for theHunter: Call of the Wild
Avalanche Studios Group has launched the Peru Hunting Reserve DLC for theHunter: Call of the Wild. Available on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC, this expansion introduces the Intisuyu Reserve with three distinct biomes, 14 animal species including new additions like the jaguar and black caiman, and 60 new missions. The DLC also features a new pistol crossbow, the Dahler Reserve Draw CB-150.
Peru Hunting Reserve
Avalanche Studios has announced that the Peru Hunting Reserve DLC for theHunter: Call of the Wild will be released on June 16th. This new content will be available for Windows and consoles, adding a new virtual hunting environment.
Journey to theHunter: Call of the Wild's "Peru Hunting Reserve" DLC on PC, PlayStation & Xbox on June 16
Avalanche Studios Group announced that the 'Peru Hunting Reserve' DLC for theHunter: Call of the Wild will launch on June 16, 2026, for PC, PlayStation, and Xbox. The DLC introduces three new biomes in Peru, 14 animal species including jaguars and capybaras, and 60 new missions. A free update, Patch 9.2, will also release on the same day, adding bug fixes and new horns for mountain goats.
Just Cause Studio’s Job Listings Indicate New Project is Live-Service Multiplayer
Job listings for Avalanche Studios indicate their next project is a live-service multiplayer game utilizing Unreal Engine. The studio is seeking experienced personnel for large-scale multiplayer environments and live-service game development. Co-founder Christofer Sundberg suggested the new IP may not be part of the Just Cause franchise.
FIRSTLOOK UNVEILS AGENT FOR GAME MARKETING
FirstLook has launched 'FirstLook Agent,' an AI-powered marketing system designed for the gaming industry. This new tool allows game studios to analyze player feedback, identify trends, and deploy targeted marketing campaigns in real-time using natural language prompts. Several leading companies, including Team17 and Remedy Entertainment, are already using FirstLook's platform.
Nintendo Takes A Hit With Class Action Lawsuit While Gaming Giants Make Major Moves
Nintendo is facing a class action lawsuit from gamers seeking refunds for U.S. tariffs on hardware. Meanwhile, Sony Interactive Entertainment is implementing new age verification for communication features. Separately, Clair Obscur E33 has sold 8 million copies, and Avalanche Studios is hiring for an unannounced AAA open-world project.
Just Cause Studio Working on Unannounced AAA Open World Title
Avalanche Studios, known for the Just Cause series, is developing a new AAA open-world title. While details are scarce, the announcement suggests a return to the studio's expertise in creating large, chaotic environments. The game's direction, whether a continuation of the Just Cause franchise or a new intellectual property, remains speculative.
Just Cause, Mad Max Studio is Hiring For an “Unannounced AAA Project”
Avalanche Studios, known for the Just Cause and Mad Max franchises, is hiring for a new unannounced AAA open-world project. The studio is utilizing its in-house Apex Engine and is seeking a Senior Technical Designer for its Stockholm office. This news follows the closure of its Liverpool studio and restructuring of other locations due to business challenges.
theHunter: Call of the Wild - Multi-Class Weapon Pack
The Multi-Class Weapon Pack is now available for the hunting game theHunter: Call of the Wild. Developed by Expansive Worlds and Avalanche Studios, this new DLC enhances the player's arsenal and is released for PC and consoles.
Our Hype for Samson on PS5 Crashes as GTA-Like Gets Slammed by Reviews
The sandbox action game Samson, initially hyped for its Grand Theft Auto-like gameplay and potential PlayStation 5 release, has received largely unfavorable reviews on PC. Critics cite severe jank, an undercooked combat system, and numerous bugs, leading to a Metacritic score of 48. While developer Liquid Sword, founded by Christofer Sundberg, has indicated console ports are being considered, the current state of the game has significantly dampened initial enthusiasm.
As Just Cause lead's new action game stumbles to mixed reviews, director promise fixes for "unacceptable" bugs and performance woes: "Samson is here to stay"
Christofer Sundberg, co-creator of Just Cause, has acknowledged that his new game, Samson, is experiencing significant bugs and performance issues following its launch. Sundberg stated that these problems are "unacceptable" and that his studio, Liquid Swords, is actively working on fixes to deliver the game as intended.
Samson Studio Lead Said He Can’t Watch Industry Leaders “Just Flushing it All Down in the Toilet”
Christopher Sundberg, studio head at Liquid Swords and former co-director of the Just Cause series, expressed frustration with the current state of the gaming industry, citing numerous layoffs and project cancellations. He stated that Samson: A Tyndalston Story was made as a response to industry practices and a desire to steer development back on track. Sundberg also discussed the studio's careful budget planning, including a significant layoff, to ensure the game's future development and a $25 player experience.
Samson Studio Lead Says He Can’t Watch Industry Leaders “Just Flushing it All Down in the Toilet”
Christopher Sundberg, studio head at Liquid Swords and former co-director of the Just Cause series, expressed frustration with the current state of the gaming industry, citing numerous layoffs and project cancellations. He stated that Samson: A Tyndalston Story was made as a response to industry practices and a desire to steer development back on track. Sundberg also discussed the studio's careful budget planning, including a significant layoff, to ensure the game's future development and delivery of a $25 experience.
Just Cause co-creator made new crime game Samson because he is sick of "swallowing all the crap that the industry…
Christopher Sundberg, co-founder of Avalanche Studios and co-director of the Just Cause series, has released a new crime game called Samson through his studio Liquid Swords. Sundberg views Samson as a statement against current industry trends, which he feels are dominated by established intellectual property and plagued by layoffs. Despite mixed early reception on Steam, citing issues like clunky combat and performance problems, the developer is proud of the project and aims to improve it.
Morning Postmortems/Retrospectives
Avalanche Studios' unreleased game AionGuard was intended to be similar to Crimson Desert, but the project was cancelled. A representative from Avalanche Studios stated that the publisher ended their relationship via text message.