Liquid Swords, the independent studio founded by Avalanche Studios co-founder and Just Cause director Christofer Sundberg, has released the first teaser for its debut Game. The short nine-second video offers only a glimpse of what’s to come, yet it already sets the tone for a world defined by decay, survival, and human struggle.
The footage shows a lifeless, gray city where the remains of civilization can still be seen among ruined streets and crumbling buildings.
A few vehicles move slowly through the empty landscape, hinting at a fragile existence after a major disaster. The bleak atmosphere, mixed with an industrial undertone, suggests a setting where hope is scarce and every action carries weight.
Sundberg describes the project as a mix between Mad Max and Max Payne, focusing on realism and emotional depth rather than fantasy or futuristic concepts.
“With all due respect to fantasy and science fiction game developers, it’s just not for us. It’s more like Mad Max Payne,” he explained. The goal is to deliver a story rooted in human emotion, desperation, and revenge—qualities often associated with gritty crime dramas and survival thrillers.
Founded in Stockholm in 2020, Liquid Swords has gradually expanded its team while maintaining a clear development philosophy. Sundberg believes a studio of around 100 people is the ideal size for creating large-scale projects without unnecessary compromise. In contrast to common industry practices, the studio has taken a firm stance against crunch—extended overtime near a game’s release—promoting a healthier work-life balance for its staff.
Currently known by its working title Game 1, the debut project is being built using Unreal Engine 5. It is described as a “gritty, crime-thriller revenge story” set in an open-world environment. While details remain limited, the combination of an established engine and an experienced leadership team suggests a focus on both visual realism and strong narrative direction.
The teaser ends with the words:
“Be responsible. Work hard. Stay human. Win.” This phrase reflects the studio’s guiding principle—one centered on resilience, integrity, and personal accountability. For Sundberg, whose earlier work on Just Cause emphasized large-scale chaos and freedom, this new approach appears more grounded and emotionally driven.
Though it’s too early for a release window or gameplay details, the first teaser has already sparked interest among fans of action-driven storytelling. If Liquid Swords successfully captures the atmosphere of Mad Max and the tone of Max Payne, the result could be a compelling return to character-focused, cinematic action games that prioritize grit and authenticity over spectacle.
With development continuing, Game 1 represents not only a new creative chapter for Sundberg but also a fresh opportunity for the studio to establish itself in today’s competitive gaming landscape.
