Swedish developer Liquid Swords has been declared bankrupt just months after releasing Samson. Employees reportedly went unpaid for at least two months, while the studio's administrator is seeking buyers for its intellectual property and other assets.
Swedish game developer Liquid Swords, the studio behind Samson, has been declared bankrupt following reports that employees had gone months without receiving their salaries.
The bankruptcy order was issued by the Stockholm District Court on 12 October 2026, approximately six months after the studio launched its debut game.
According to Swedish publication Breakit, as subsequently reported by Rock Paper Shotgun and other outlets, employees had reportedly gone at least two months without pay. Staff are also reported to have petitioned for the company to be declared bankrupt.
The development leaves the future of Samson uncertain and marks a difficult end to a studio founded by one of the creators behind the Just Cause franchise.
Liquid Swords was founded in 2020 by Christofer Sundberg, who previously co-founded Avalanche Studios.
The company set out to develop ambitious action games, eventually releasing Samson, an open-city crime game built around vehicle-based missions, combat and a debt-repayment system.
However, the studio had already experienced financial difficulties before the game's release. In February 2025, Liquid Swords announced significant redundancies as part of an attempt to secure the company's long-term future. The restructuring reportedly reduced the studio's workforce by approximately half.
GamesIndustry.biz reports that 27 employees are being dismissed, while the Swedish state wage guarantee is expected to cover eligible unpaid salaries.
The situation highlights the direct human consequences of financial instability within game development, particularly when employees continue working on projects despite uncertainty surrounding their wages.
Despite the bankruptcy, Samson and the intellectual property associated with it could still have a future.
Swedish law firm Cirio, which is handling the bankruptcy administration, has begun seeking potential buyers for Liquid Swords' assets.
According to GamesIndustry.biz, the assets being offered include the rights associated with Samson, other intellectual property, development materials and equipment. Interested buyers have until 21 October 2026 to submit bids.
A successful sale could potentially allow another company to acquire the game and continue its development or support. However, there has been no confirmed announcement of a buyer or future development plans.
Samson launched in April 2026 following a challenging development period.
Originally conceived as a larger project, the game underwent significant changes as Liquid Swords faced funding pressures and difficulties securing publishing support.
The finished release adopted a more focused structure built around completing jobs, managing financial pressure and navigating a crime-ridden city.
Its launch was met with mixed reviews, with technical problems and bugs attracting criticism.
Liquid Swords continued releasing updates after launch, including fixes in October, but those efforts were ultimately followed by the company's bankruptcy.
While the game's commercial performance and development challenges provide important context, the available reporting does not establish that any single factor caused the studio's collapse.
The closure of Liquid Swords is another reminder of the financial pressures facing game development teams, even those led by experienced industry veterans.
For the affected employees, the immediate priorities are unpaid wages, employment arrangements and the outcome of the bankruptcy process.
For Samson, attention now turns to whether a buyer emerges before the bidding deadline and what that might mean for the game's future.
Until an acquisition or continuation plan is confirmed, the future of the franchise remains uncertain.
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