The CEO of Liquid Swords has confirmed the closure of the studio after declaring bankruptcy
Update as of October 20, 2026: Christofer Sundberg, the CEO of Liquid Swords, has announced that the studio is closing following a bankruptcy filing.
In a post on LinkedIn, Sundberg attributed the closure to "market conditions and some bad business decisions," noting that the revenues from their first game, Samson, were insufficient to save the business.
Sundberg expressed gratitude for the journey, stating, "It's been a hell of a ride and a lot of fun, even when the circumstances gave us very little to laugh about. Building a studio, creating Samson and releasing it on PC and consoles took an enormous amount of work from people who cared deeply about what we were making."
He also mentioned ongoing discussions with those involved with Liquid Swords to find ways to continue supporting Samson appropriately, although no announcements have been made.
He thanked the team and supporters, saying, "To everyone who worked at Liquid Swords, our partners, and everyone who supported us and played Samson: thank you. You gave us plenty of reasons to keep fighting, and the work we did together deserves to be remembered for more than how the company ended."
Looking to the future, Sundberg intends to establish another studio with a focus on sustainable business practices, incorporating lessons learned from Liquid Swords. "I still love making games," he added.
Original report, October 19, 2026: Liquid Swords, creators of the game Samson, have declared bankruptcy, following reports of unpaid wages for two months.
According to Cirio, a Swedish law firm handling the administration process, a preliminary bidding document was issued for potential buyers.
As detailed by Breakit through Game Talk, employees sought bankruptcy due to the lack of payment. The Swedish state wage guarantee will cover their missed salaries.
Earlier, reports from Breakit highlighted an "acute liquidity shortage" within the company, with Sundberg expressing doubts about resolving the issue.
As part of the bankruptcy proceedings, all 27 employees are being let go, with Cirio noting that new employment contracts are needed for any staff retention by potential buyers.
The company's assets up for sale include intellectual property related to Samson, as well as other development assets and inventory.
The bidding process concludes on October 21, 2026.
As recorded in the bidding document, Samson has sold 151,900 copies as of October 14, 2026, earning SEK 24.1 million, approximately $2.4 million.
Founded in 2020 by Avalanche co-founder Christofer Sundberg, Liquid Swords saw NetEase acquiring a minority stake in 2022.
Earlier this year, the studio reduced its workforce to maintain long-term sustainability, though specific numbers were not disclosed.