Just Cause developer Avalanche has closed its Liverpool studio, following the cancellation of Xbox exclusive Contraband earlier this year.
Avalanche announced it had initiated “a collective consultation process” back in September. It has now moved forward and closed its Liverpool studio, laying off 31 members of staff in the process.
The developer shared an update on its website last night. “The exceptional talent, passion, and commitment from everyone leaving have impacted every project,” reads the message from Avalanche.
“We are truly grateful for the dedication and invaluable contributions to Avalanche Studios Group. Our focus remains on supporting the Avelanchers through this transition and to carry on making great games for our player communities.”
Contraband – a 1970s co-op open world caper set in the fictional Southeast Asian world of Bayan- was first revealed in June 2021, during the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase. “With Contraband, we’re taking everything we’ve learned from 18 years of being in the forefront of open world games as well as bringing the knowledge from running successful live game services focusing on our player communities,” Avalanche said at the time.
Contraband was subsequently cancelled by Microsoft back in August of this year, with the studio writing in a statement: “Active development has now stopped while we evaluate the project’s future.” The game’s cancellation followed on from a string of other game and staff cuts across Microsoft’s collection of worldwide studios in June.
After these cuts, Microsoft’s CEO stated that “Microsoft is thriving” as the company emphasised its focus on AI.