Avalanche Studios Group to Publish Supermassive Games Titles Globally

The Avalanche Studios Group will publish Supermassive Games titles globally, starting with The Quarry and its upcoming releases. This partnership, announced in 2022, transfers global publishing rights for Supermassive’s games from 2K Games to Avalanche, which will handle distribution, marketing, and sales across all platforms and regions.

Background of the Partnership

Supermassive Games, a British developer known for interactive horror titles like Until Dawn and The Dark Pictures Anthology, previously had its games published by 2K Games. That relationship ended after the release of The Quarry in June 2022. Shortly afterward, Avalanche Studios Group—the Swedish parent company of Avalanche Studios (known for Just Cause and Rage 2)—announced it would take over publishing duties for Supermassive’s entire catalog and future projects.

The deal was structured as a global publishing agreement, meaning Avalanche would manage the release of Supermassive games on all platforms—PlayStation, Xbox, and PC—in every territory. This was a significant move for Avalanche, which had previously focused on developing its own titles and had limited experience as a third-party publisher.

Which Games Are Included?

The agreement covers all Supermassive games released after the deal, starting with The Quarry. Specifically, Avalanche published the physical and digital versions of The Quarry for current and last-generation consoles and PC. Future titles, including the ongoing The Dark Pictures Anthology series (with entries like Man of Medan, Little Hope, House of Ashes, and The Devil in Me), were also included, though those specific anthology games had already been published by Bandai Namco in earlier years. The key point is that Avalanche now handles new Supermassive releases globally.

• The Quarry (2022) – the first title published under this agreement.
• Future Supermassive IPs and sequels announced after the deal.
• Any re-releases or definitive editions of these newer games.

Why Did Supermassive Switch Publishers?

The switch from 2K to Avalanche was not publicly explained in detail by either company. However, industry observers noted that 2K had been reducing its portfolio of externally developed titles around that time. Supermassive, which had enjoyed critical and commercial success with Until Dawn (published by Sony) and the anthology series (published by Bandai Namco), likely sought a partner with a strong global distribution network and a focus on immersive, story-driven games. Avalanche Studios Group, with its experience in large-scale open-world titles, offered that infrastructure.

How the Publishing Agreement Works

Under a standard global publishing deal, the publisher (Avalanche) handles:

• Manufacturing and distribution of physical copies (discs and cartridges).
• Digital storefront management (Steam, PlayStation Store, Xbox Store, etc.).
• Marketing, advertising, and public relations campaigns.
• Localization for different regions and languages.
• Sales forecasting and retail partnerships.

The developer (Supermassive) retains creative control over the game’s design, story, and mechanics. This arrangement allows Supermassive to focus on making games while leveraging Avalanche’s commercial expertise.

Impact on Gamers and the Industry

For players, the most noticeable effect was on availability and pricing. When The Quarry launched under Avalanche’s publishing, it was available in the same physical and digital channels as before, but with Avalanche’s branding on the box and in store listings. Some regional differences appeared—for example, in certain territories, the game was priced differently or had different special editions compared to what 2K had planned. The deal also signaled a trend of larger developers taking on publishing roles for other studios, which can lead to more diverse game catalogs but also raises questions about market consolidation.

Common Misconceptions

One common misconception is that Avalanche Studios Group acquired Supermassive Games. That is false. The two remain independent companies; Avalanche only holds publishing rights. Another misconception is that the deal retroactively covers all of Supermassive’s older games like Until Dawn or the early anthology titles. Those remain with their original publishers (Sony and Bandai Namco, respectively). The agreement only applies to games released after the deal was signed.

Frequently Asked Questions

Will The Quarry be removed from sale?

No. The publishing change did not affect the game’s availability. It remains on all major platforms and can be purchased digitally or physically. The only difference is that Avalanche now handles the distribution, so new copies may show their logo instead of 2K’s.

Does this mean Supermassive Games will make Just Cause games?

No. The partnership is purely about publishing, not development. Supermassive will continue to create its own narrative horror games, and Avalanche will continue developing its own titles like Just Cause and Generation Zero. There is no crossover in game development.

What about The Dark Pictures Anthology future seasons?

The anthology series was originally published by Bandai Namco up to The Devil in Me (2022). After that, any new anthology games would fall under the Avalanche publishing agreement, as it covers all future Supermassive titles. However, no new anthology entries have been announced under Avalanche as of this writing.

Is Avalanche Studios Group the same as Avalanche Software?

No. Avalanche Studios Group is a Swedish company (formerly known as Avalanche Studios). Avalanche Software is a separate American studio owned by Warner Bros. Interactive, known for Disney Infinity and Hogwarts Legacy. They are unrelated despite the similar name.

Why did 2K stop publishing Supermassive games?

2K did not give a public reason. The industry speculation is that 2K was streamlining its portfolio and focusing on its own internal studios. Supermassive then found a new partner in Avalanche, which was looking to expand beyond development into publishing.

Looking Ahead

As of 2025, the Avalanche-Supermassive publishing deal remains active, though no new Supermassive game has been released under it since The Quarry. Supermassive has been working on other projects, including a Little Nightmares sequel and a new original IP, but those have not been confirmed as part of the Avalanche publishing deal. The partnership demonstrates how mid-sized studios can benefit from aligning with a publisher that understands their creative vision while offering global reach.

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