Liquid Swords Unveils Teaser for Gritty New Game Inspired by Max Payne

Liquid Swords, the newly established studio founded by former Just Cause director Christofer Sundberg, has released a brief teaser for its upcoming game, currently referred to as “Game 1.” The nine-second clip features a desolate cityscape, emphasizing a grim and industrial atmosphere. This initial glimpse hints at a world reminiscent of the gritty narratives found in both the Mad Max and Max Payne franchises.

The teaser showcases a dilapidated urban environment where a few cars navigate the empty streets. The visuals are stark, capturing a sense of abandonment and decay. In a tweet, Sundberg hinted at the direction of the game, stating it will be “more like … Mad Max …. Payne,” indicating a preference for a realistic, hard-hitting narrative over traditional fantasy or sci-fi themes. “All respect to developers of fantasy/sci-fi games,” he remarked, “but it’s just not for us.”

Studio Background and Future Plans

Founded in 2020, Liquid Swords aims to cultivate a team of about 100 employees to fulfill its vision of “zero-nonsense game development.” The studio’s website emphasizes its commitment to a healthy work-life balance, declaring a strict policy of “no crunch.” As part of its culture, the company showcases various Air Jordans in its meeting room, presenting a relaxed yet driven environment.

While the studio has not officially named the game, it has described it as a “narrative-driven, open-world, hardboiled AAA revenge story” built using Unreal Engine 5. This narrative approach aligns with Sundberg’s previous work and the thematic focus he intends to explore.

In a notable yet unfortunate turn of events, Liquid Swords announced in February 2025 that it would be reducing its workforce, despite not having publicly launched its first project. This decision has drawn attention, especially as the studio prepares to introduce its debut title to the gaming community.

Mission Statement and Community Engagement

Accompanying the teaser trailer, Sundberg shared a mission statement that encapsulates the philosophy of Liquid Swords: “Be accountable. Work hard. Be human. Win.” These values resonate with the ethos of the studio, aiming to create an engaging and responsible game development environment. The teaser not only serves as an introduction to the game but also as a reflection of the studio’s commitment to fostering a positive culture.

As anticipation builds for Liquid Swords’ first game, it will be interesting to see how the studio balances its ambitious goals with its commitment to employee well-being. The gaming community is eager for more details about this promising new title, which aims to carve out a unique space in the open-world genre.