Listen here!
You hear that Avalanche closed its Liverpool studio. Here’s why Contraband was stopped by Xbox leadership, how that led to job losses, and what it might mean for upcoming games.
Key points
- Avalanche closed its Liverpool studio after Microsoft paused Contraband
- 31 staff were laid off
- Avalanche says it will offer support to affected workers
- The company is restructuring other studios and reviewing projects
- Plans for some future projects are now uncertain
Avalanche closes Liverpool studio — 31 jobs cut after Contraband pause
Avalanche Studios Group shut its Liverpool office, ending work there and laying off 31 people. The move followed Microsoft pausing the co‑developed open‑world title Contraband. Avalanche says it is reviewing the project’s future and reorganizing parts of the business.
What happened
- Liverpool studio closed; 31 jobs cut.
- Closure followed Microsoft pausing development of Contraband, a co‑developed 1970s open‑world game.
- Avalanche is reorganizing, offering support to affected staff, and keeping other studios operational.
Timeline
- 2020 — Avalanche opened the Liverpool studio as part of global expansion.
- August 2025 — Reports indicate Microsoft paused Contraband, halting active development.
- September 2025 — Avalanche began a formal consultation process under UK rules.
- Late 2025 — Liverpool closure confirmed; 31 staff laid off.
Background and context
- Avalanche is best known for the Just Cause series.
- The company previously closed studios in New York and Montreal in June 2024, cutting about 50 jobs (roughly 9% of its workforce).
- Reports say changes are also happening at Avalanche’s Malmö and Stockholm teams.
- Industry sources note how fragile projects can be when large partners alter direction — major publishers have pulled projects in the past, reshaping studios’ roadmaps and staffing decisions (examples of publisher cancellations).
Company response
- Avalanche thanked affected staff and said it will provide support.
- The firm remains focused on making games at its remaining studios.
- Management is assessing which projects continue and which are stopped.
Impact
- Players: some planned games may be delayed or canceled — similar large cancellations have occurred before in the industry (long-term project cancellations).
- Staff: laid‑off employees will seek new roles across the industry; workforce shifts and disputes have been a recurring issue at other major studios (examples involving developer layoffs and labor tensions).
- Industry: publisher decisions can quickly reshape developer plans and studio stability.
Immediate effects
- Local job losses in Liverpool.
- Pause or cancellation risk for Contraband.
- Wider restructuring across Avalanche studios.
Quick facts
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Company | Avalanche Studios Group |
| Closed studio | Liverpool |
| Jobs cut | 31 |
| Linked project | Contraband (paused by Microsoft) |
| Earlier closures | New York and Montreal (~50 jobs, June 2024) |
What to watch next
- Whether Contraband is officially canceled or restarted.
- Announcements about support programs for laid‑off staff.
- Updates on titles from other Avalanche studios and potential delays — partner studios sometimes shift focus or release updates that change timelines (examples of partner-studio updates affecting schedules).
Sources and further reading
For more details, see the original coverage: https://mundobloxdicas.com.br/voce-ve-avalanche-fechar-estudio-em-liverpool-e-demitir-equipe-apos-cancelamento-de-contraband/ — this report outlines the timeline and local impact. You can revisit that link for updates and follow‑ups as the situation evolves: https://mundobloxdicas.com.br/voce-ve-avalanche-fechar-estudio-em-liverpool-e-demitir-equipe-apos-cancelamento-de-contraband/.
Summary
Avalanche closed its Liverpool studio and cut 31 jobs after Microsoft paused Contraband. The company will support affected employees and continue work at other locations, but some projects are now uncertain. Big partner decisions can quickly change plans for games and for the people who make them.
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