Just Cause Creator Opens New AAA Games Studio

Christofer Sundberg, cofounder of Avalanche Studios and creator of its most recognizable game, Just Cause, has returned to the gaming industry and opened a new studio, Liquid Swords.

After taking a year off from game development, Sundberg says he is reenergized on focused on going back to a style of game development that is all about entertainment over redefining storytelling in games. Also, lots of explosions, which shouldn't be too surprising given Sundberg's background.

"After living and breathing the Just Cause franchise from the day I started Avalanche Studios to the eventual sale of the company, I am excited to come back and create spectacular experiences for players to explore, share and enjoy," Sundberg wrote on Facebook. "We have no intention of reshaping the world of storytelling as we know it. Our road to leaving our mark and making a difference in the industry is built first and foremost on games that are immediately accessible and consistently rewarding."

Liquid Swords is just starting out and will be sharing more news about its several studio locations and chosen development technologies in 2021. That means development on the studio's first project has yet to begin, but the announcement does mention that games will be developed for PC, new consoles, and streaming platforms.

Sundberg left Avalanche Studios shortly after it was sold, exiting the company he helped found in April 2019. Sundburg was chief creative officer at the studio, overseeing development of Just Cause 4 and Rage 2 before his departure. Just Cause 4 is the latest entry in the long-running, destruction-focused action game, and is included in this month's PlayStation Plus offerings for PS4 and PS5.