Sundberg bets everything on 'samson' – a risky gamble for a veteran developer
Christofer Sundberg, the architect behind the gloriously chaotic Just Cause series, is throwing his considerable weight – and the future of his studio, Liquid Swords – behind a new open-world crime thriller calledSamson. The game, launching April 8th, is already facing scrutiny, with comparisons to Grand Theft Auto intensifying as Rockstar’s GTA 6 looms large.
A tightrope walk for liquid swords
But Liquid Swords isn’t operating with Rockstar’s deep pockets. This isn’t just another game; it’s a high-stakes declaration of independence, a calculated risk that could either propel Sundberg and his team to new heights or consign them to obscurity. The stakes couldn’t be higher – a complete overhaul of the studio’s approach, built on the ashes of a near-collapse in 2025.
Following Sundberg's departure from Avalanche Studios in 2022, Liquid Swords was founded on a radical premise: to eschew the bloated, content-padded behemoths dominating the industry. He’s determined to strip away the unnecessary, prioritizing focused gameplay and a visceral, cinematic experience reminiscent of 90s action films. That ambition, however, proved unsustainable, forcing a dramatic scaling-back of Samson’s initial, AAA-level aspirations.
“We had to cut some of the more ambitious features – the complex RPG systems, the base-building mechanics, the layered narrative,” Sundberg revealed. “The result is Samson: a direct-action open world, designed for approximately 25 hours of play at a rate of one euro per hour. It’s a leaner, more concentrated offering, a deliberate response to the industry’s obsession with sheer scale.”
The comparisons to GTA are unavoidable, fueled by the game’s urban setting and crime-focused narrative. But Sundberg insists on a distinct identity – less sprawling, perhaps, but with a sharper, more immediate feel. He views Rockstar’s success with a measured respect, acknowledging their ability to generate widespread excitement, “like Christmas for the entire industry,” he stated. “It's akin to the launch of a new iPhone – a universally desired object, even for those who don't typically engage with gaming.”
Despite this cautious recognition, Sundberg remains unwavering in his strategy: to invest everything in a single, bold IP. The potential for failure is significant, a stark contrast to the established formula of sequels and established franchises. Samson represents a desperate gamble, a final stand for a creator unwilling to surrender to the prevailing winds of the industry. The game is expected to launch on PC gaming platforms in 2025.