Swedish studio Liquid Swords, the developer behind the action game Samson, has reportedly filed for bankruptcy. Approximately 30 employees are impacted, and Sweden's state wage guarantee is expected to cover unpaid salaries.
The bankruptcy order, which is believed to have been issued on October 12, should ensure affected developers receive their due compensation. The bankruptcy trustee is reportedly seeking a buyer for the studio.
Liquid Swords was founded in 2020 by Christofer Sundberg, a co-founder of Avalanche Studios, known for the Just Cause series. Samson: A Tyndalston Story, the studio's debut title, was released on PC on April 8 and later on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on September 21. The studio faced challenges in securing a publisher, and the game received mixed reviews, with players citing technical and performance issues.
This development follows a recent wave of job losses in the gaming industry. In late September, Xbox confirmed 268 layoffs and a restructuring that moved Rare and World's Edge under Activision. Additionally, Supermassive Games appears to have let go of over 70 staff earlier this month, and Xbox also initiated consultation for the potential closure of Ninja Theory after two publishing agreements fell through.