Upright Cause’s Game Studio Faces Early Layoffs Ahead of First Title Release
By The Sweden-based developer Liquid Swords has today revealed an undisclosed number of layoffs.
The NetEase-supported studio was established in 2020 by Christofer Sundberg, a name you may recognize from Just Cause’s Avalanche Studios, which he co-founded.
Liquid Swords has yet to launch its inaugural game, and today announced intentions to “reduce its personnel as part of a strategy to consolidate operations and adapt to prevailing business circumstances.”
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In a statement on the company’s website, Liquid Swords referenced “the current hurdles of the video game industry” as a reason for the layoffs. It explained that this decision is “aimed at ensuring the studio’s long-term viability” while it continues to develop its debut game.
“I committed to our employees and investors that we would achieve success and establish a studio that redefines game development with a small, skilled team and a sustainable working model. While we have accomplished much of this, changing market dynamics hindered us from succeeding within our intended timeline,” Sundberg stated in a message.
“Consequently, we must say goodbye to talented individuals who have played crucial roles in our journey. This is extremely challenging, but we remain dedicated to our vision and will persist in developing our intellectual property and first game with a committed team.”
Despite alterations within its personnel, Liquid Swords is confident that these layoffs “will not hinder” the studio from “achieving its original aspirations.”
Liquid Swords is not the only NetEase-supported studio to have faced difficulties recently. In November, Mac Walters – the former writer and producer who worked on Mass Effect for nearly two decades – announced a “pause” in operations at his NetEase-backed AAA game studio, Worlds Untold. Its team was developing an upcoming action-adventure game set “in a stunning world filled with mystery and exploration,” funded by investment from the Chinese gaming giant.
Last month, Jar of Sparks – the Seattle-based “AAA” studio founded by Halo Infinite head of design Jerry Hook in 2022 – halted development of its yet-to-be-announced first title while seeking a new publishing partner, indicating it was working to “find all of our team new opportunities” as a result.