Liquid Swords bankrupt after staff unpaid for two months
The Crash of Samson: How an Ambitious Crime Sim Ended in Bankruptcy
The world of game development is full of dazzling visions, but sometimes the reality is far grittier. The story of Liquid Swords, the studio behind the run-based crime sim Samson, is a stark reminder that even ambitious projects can face brutal financial reality.
Just six months after the release of Samson, the developer has filed for bankruptcy. This financial upheaval came after a period of significant struggle, leaving the talented team grappling with massive debt.
The decision to file for bankruptcy was not taken lightly. The process involved approximately thirty employees who were left unpaid for at least two months. These employees were the ones who petitioned the company to declare bankruptcy, highlighting a deep sense of distress within the studio.
Founded in 2020 by Christofer Sundberg, Liquid Swords began with a bold goal: creating an open-city crime simulation with a unique, run-based structure. Sundberg, who previously worked at Avalanche Studios on Just Cause, aimed for a large-scale action RPG. This ambition quickly ran into the classic development snags—funding hurdles and the constant need for radical structural adjustments.
The path to releasing Samson was fraught with challenges. The studio struggled to find a publisher, facing multiple rejections, which forced Liquid Swords to radically rethink the game’s mechanics, ultimately leading to the distinctive, run-based gameplay we know today.
Samson launched in April with mixed reception. While it generated buzz, the game faced technical issues and received unfavorable comparisons to larger titles, including Grand Theft Auto. Despite subsequent patches and efforts to smooth out technical flaws, these efforts did not generate the necessary momentum to sustain the studio.
Now, as the studio enters this new chapter, the focus shifts from development to liquidation. The administrator has put the company and its assets, including Samson itself, up for auction. This process will continue until October 21.
For the employees affected by the bankruptcy, the situation provides a safety net. Their outstanding salaries are now guaranteed by the Swedish state wage guarantee, ensuring financial stability during this transition.
Buy on Amazon
Credit
