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Just Cause Developer Avalanche Working On The Mad Max Game?

Mad Max 4's licensed game just got a little more interesting, didn't it?

Hey, have you forgotten that there's a new Mad Max game on the way? Cory Barlog hasn't. He's still hard at work on a secretive action game based on the upcoming flick Mad Max 4: Fury Road. If you're keeping score, this is one of Barlog's first projects after having served as a director and writer for another slightly popular game, God of War II.

But while Barlog hasn't been shy about saying he's got a lot to do with the ongoing creation of this Max Max game alongside film series' writer and director George Miller, he hasn't said what studio will be spearheading its development. New Twitter evidence, though, points to Avalanche Studios, the Swedish development house that built the Just Cause franchise, as that studio.

Follow me. Back in July, Avalanche founder Christofer Sundberg suspiciously re-tweeted a message from Barlog lamenting the fact that even though Mad Max 4 was delayed, he won't get more time on the project. "The delay of the film (Mad Max) was 'announced' yesterday," Barlog wrote on his Twitter account. "I wish that meant I got more time [on the project], but, alas… no."
 

No Caption Provided
 
== TEASER ==It's an odd re-tweet that, to be fair, could just be Sundberg's digital nod to an industry friend showing that he can commiserate with woes about time constraints. In general, time often becomes one of a developer's nastiest hurdles as publisher requirements need to be met and games ultimately need to be shipped.  
 
But this pairing makes sense on a much deeper level. Mad Max as a film series, first of all, isn't romantic comedy. It's a franchise packed with bullets, dirt, broken-ankle-dragging, crazy action, and explosions. The latter two bits just happen to be Avalanche's forte. Just Cause 2 in particular is notorious for its over-the-top, high-octane ridiculousness. Hijacking a jet plane, taking it above the highest mountains, and then bailing from it just to get into a vicious freefall is relatively tame in comparison to the rest of the ludicrous hijinks you can pull off.
 

No Caption Provided
 
However, the best reason as to why Sundberg's re-tweet sounds like a hint lies in what we know about Avalanche's next project. The developer will release a game based on a "major Hollywood license" in 2012. 

“We have also secured a major Hollywood license which we develop in co-operation with a major media group,” says an overview written for Sweden's Invest ICT conference revealed earlier in May, via Connected Consoles. “This project is co-funded by our licensing partner and we are currently evaluating different options for this project. The project will be developed alongside an upcoming 2012 movie.”

A release for Mad Max 4 hasn't been pegged, though the movie has started filming, according to the Mad Max Wikipedia page. This fourth film in the series has been an on-and-off-again affair, mostly due to financial difficulties.

But what kind of title will this movie game, presumably based on Mad Max 4, be? Details are, of course, light--this is why we're speculating as to what the game could be in the first place--but it's definitely an action title. And the kicker is that Avalanche is damn excited about it.
 

No Caption Provided

"I can't talk much about our next project but it's definitively within the action genre," Sundberg tells CVG in a June interview. "But we have made a move towards the more controlled experience to better convey a strong storyline."

"We'll never leave our big game worlds and spectacular explosive action, though. After working on original IPs for seven years we wanted to try a license, but there's only been a few that we've felt was 100-percent right for the studio."

"This one is perfect," he added. 
 
We've contacted Barlog and Avalanche respectively for confirmation, but we don't expect a straight answer. If the game isn't slated to hit until 2012, there's a good chance we won't hear a word of this possible union between these two until later next year.  
 
It'd be good to note that Mad Max has been turned into a videogame before. Mindscape created a top-down driving game based on the first movie (pictured extensively in this article) called, simply, Mad Max. Its two modes of play, arena and Road War, encouraged the same thing: killing bandits. In that one regard, we don't expect this next-gen title to be any different. 
 
UPDATE: Barlog also handled the creative direction for God of War: Chains of Olympus and "God of War: Betrayal," according to his LinkedIn profile.   
 
UPDATE 2: When asked about any connection with Avalanche and his Mad Max game, Barlog playfully replied to me via Twitter: "Hmmm, not sure. Maaaaaaybe." An Avalanche rep, on the other hand, has told me "We cannot comment on any unannounced projects."

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BradNicholson

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Edited By BradNicholson

Hey, have you forgotten that there's a new Mad Max game on the way? Cory Barlog hasn't. He's still hard at work on a secretive action game based on the upcoming flick Mad Max 4: Fury Road. If you're keeping score, this is one of Barlog's first projects after having served as a director and writer for another slightly popular game, God of War II.

But while Barlog hasn't been shy about saying he's got a lot to do with the ongoing creation of this Max Max game alongside film series' writer and director George Miller, he hasn't said what studio will be spearheading its development. New Twitter evidence, though, points to Avalanche Studios, the Swedish development house that built the Just Cause franchise, as that studio.

Follow me. Back in July, Avalanche founder Christofer Sundberg suspiciously re-tweeted a message from Barlog lamenting the fact that even though Mad Max 4 was delayed, he won't get more time on the project. "The delay of the film (Mad Max) was 'announced' yesterday," Barlog wrote on his Twitter account. "I wish that meant I got more time [on the project], but, alas… no."
 

No Caption Provided
 
== TEASER ==It's an odd re-tweet that, to be fair, could just be Sundberg's digital nod to an industry friend showing that he can commiserate with woes about time constraints. In general, time often becomes one of a developer's nastiest hurdles as publisher requirements need to be met and games ultimately need to be shipped.  
 
But this pairing makes sense on a much deeper level. Mad Max as a film series, first of all, isn't romantic comedy. It's a franchise packed with bullets, dirt, broken-ankle-dragging, crazy action, and explosions. The latter two bits just happen to be Avalanche's forte. Just Cause 2 in particular is notorious for its over-the-top, high-octane ridiculousness. Hijacking a jet plane, taking it above the highest mountains, and then bailing from it just to get into a vicious freefall is relatively tame in comparison to the rest of the ludicrous hijinks you can pull off.
 

No Caption Provided
 
However, the best reason as to why Sundberg's re-tweet sounds like a hint lies in what we know about Avalanche's next project. The developer will release a game based on a "major Hollywood license" in 2012. 

“We have also secured a major Hollywood license which we develop in co-operation with a major media group,” says an overview written for Sweden's Invest ICT conference revealed earlier in May, via Connected Consoles. “This project is co-funded by our licensing partner and we are currently evaluating different options for this project. The project will be developed alongside an upcoming 2012 movie.”

A release for Mad Max 4 hasn't been pegged, though the movie has started filming, according to the Mad Max Wikipedia page. This fourth film in the series has been an on-and-off-again affair, mostly due to financial difficulties.

But what kind of title will this movie game, presumably based on Mad Max 4, be? Details are, of course, light--this is why we're speculating as to what the game could be in the first place--but it's definitely an action title. And the kicker is that Avalanche is damn excited about it.
 

No Caption Provided

"I can't talk much about our next project but it's definitively within the action genre," Sundberg tells CVG in a June interview. "But we have made a move towards the more controlled experience to better convey a strong storyline."

"We'll never leave our big game worlds and spectacular explosive action, though. After working on original IPs for seven years we wanted to try a license, but there's only been a few that we've felt was 100-percent right for the studio."

"This one is perfect," he added. 
 
We've contacted Barlog and Avalanche respectively for confirmation, but we don't expect a straight answer. If the game isn't slated to hit until 2012, there's a good chance we won't hear a word of this possible union between these two until later next year.  
 
It'd be good to note that Mad Max has been turned into a videogame before. Mindscape created a top-down driving game based on the first movie (pictured extensively in this article) called, simply, Mad Max. Its two modes of play, arena and Road War, encouraged the same thing: killing bandits. In that one regard, we don't expect this next-gen title to be any different. 
 
UPDATE: Barlog also handled the creative direction for God of War: Chains of Olympus and "God of War: Betrayal," according to his LinkedIn profile.   
 
UPDATE 2: When asked about any connection with Avalanche and his Mad Max game, Barlog playfully replied to me via Twitter: "Hmmm, not sure. Maaaaaaybe." An Avalanche rep, on the other hand, has told me "We cannot comment on any unannounced projects."
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christ0phe

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Edited By christ0phe

hmmm

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Aegon

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Edited By Aegon
@christ0phe said:
" hmmm "

aaah
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christ0phe

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I got it!

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Cincaid

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Edited By Cincaid

I demand Just Cause 3!

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Afroman269

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Edited By Afroman269

A mad max game could be fun and after playing some Just Cause I can see potential. Also I fucking hate the blatant attempts at trying to get first comment. Shdjkskajd. DO I WIN!?!?!?!?!¿¿¡!

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deactivated-5a1a3d3c6820c

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Nice article man.

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Lukeweizer

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Edited By Lukeweizer

I wish my name was "Balrog." That's bad ass.

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turbo_toaster

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Edited By turbo_toaster

Oh god the possibility of marrying Just Cause with Mad Max, sporting a huge nerd boner atm. Granted it might be garbo but I can fantasize. 

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christ0phe

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@Afroman269: Hataz gonna hate
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KainCarver

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Edited By KainCarver

sweet

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damswedon

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Edited By damswedon
@Lukeweizer said:
" I wish my name was "Balrog." That's bad ass. "
Yeah
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XaiaX

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Edited By XaiaX

I just went from 0 to boner. 
 
They need to tighten up the driving though, it's a bit too loose for a game that should focus so much on driving as a Mad Max game should. 

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moves

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Edited By moves

i wonder if it'll have jeff bridges in it

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CountDog

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Edited By CountDog

Sounds awesome

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ZmillA

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Edited By ZmillA
@damswedon said:
" @Lukeweizer said:
" I wish my name was "Balrog." That's bad ass. "
Yeah "
never thought about it like that, that name owns!
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Cybexx

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Edited By Cybexx

It is always nice to see a pulse on a project I have nearly forgotten about. GoWII was the best of the series with the only real flaw being the last boss fight and even that wasn't terrible so I look forward to what Corey Barlog has designed and hope for more documentaries that take place in his kitchen.  
 
I agree that Avalanche makes a lot of sense as the developer of a Mad Max game but I am now prepared to expect a lot of jank. Just Cause 2 overcame its jank for the most part with crazy fun mechanics so lets hope Mad Max does the same, or you know a lot less jank, either or would be good.

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ZmillA

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Edited By ZmillA

thats odd, AMC seems to be doing some sort of Mad Max marathon right now. Its on now and will be on again at 10pm eastern. AMC teams up with GiantBomb?

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Belonpopo

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Edited By Belonpopo

Fuck fucking yea.

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Jeust

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Edited By Jeust
@christ0phe said:
" hmmm "
hmmmmm
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hi_im_rob

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Edited By hi_im_rob

STUNT POSITION!

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Edited By MisterMouse

IT will be interesting to see this one come out...

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XaiaX

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Edited By XaiaX
@ZmillA: his name is Barlog, though, not Balrog.
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Googly

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Edited By Googly

Smells like...stunt position?

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Afroman269

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Edited By Afroman269
@christ0phe: Spammaz gonna spam.
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Edited By sopachuco13

Like Starcraft Ghost or Duke Nukem Forever, Mad Max has been rumored or started a half a dozen times.  This game has been announced so many times that we are going to have to start giving games like this a new moniker.  
 
In situations like these, we might start saying: 
 "That game is just a Ghost." Or, "They are Nukeming that game again." 

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christ0phe

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@Afroman269: fo sho, you know it
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weegieanawrench

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Edited By weegieanawrench
@ZmillA:  Thanks man, I haven't seen these movies in a while.
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StillVictor

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Edited By StillVictor

Hey Brad, there's typo in the article. Max Max...

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Edited By TheHT

Just in time for the Mad Max run on AMC. Interest in the game having enjoyed both Just Cause games went from nadda to lots.

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defaulttag

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Edited By defaulttag

this may actually turn out good.

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PhatSeeJay

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Edited By PhatSeeJay

Got a sudden urge to watch the movies.. hmmmm... or any Gibson movie really.. Gimme back my son!

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A Mad Max game should be more Fallout than Just Cause.

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Davvyk

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Edited By Davvyk

im not sure they can pull off the tone of mad max but hell itl be fun watching them give it a shot!

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@PhatSeeJay said:
" Got a sudden urge to watch the movies.. hmmmm... or any Gibson movie really.. Gimme back my son! "
GIMMIE BACK MY SON SON SON GIMMIE BACK BACK BACK SON GIMMIE BACK SON SON MY SON BACK GIMMIE BACK MY SON YOU MOTHERFUCKER GIMMIE THE MONEY. OMFG that's the greatest YouTube song ever!
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Edited By TwoLines
@XaiaX said:
" @ZmillA: his name is Barlog, though, not Balrog. "
So it's like a log in a bar rather than an ancient demonic creature of power?
Great.
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Edited By Slab64

This is pretty much pure speculation on Nicholsons part, but it will be quite a feather in his cap if it pans out. I think they could do a good job with it, but yeah...they do need to work on their vehicle physics if they're gonna pull it off.

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MasterTom

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@CrazyChris said:
" I demand Just Cause 3! "
with coop
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CouncilSpectre

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Edited By CouncilSpectre

HELL YESSSSSSSSSSS,  EM EFFERS!  This has to happen!

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Edited By TheGreatGuero

No Mel Gibson means I don't care. Well, I do care, but I'm not happy about it, so I'm going to pretend none of this is true.

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As long as Max gets a grappling hook it's all good.

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Edited By MooseyMcMan

Normally this would be great news, but from what I've read about the new Mad Max it doesn't sound like it'll be that good, and I'd rather see a game based on one of the earlier movies (specifically The Road Warrior), or not base it on one specific movie.  
 
@sopachuco13 said:

" Like Starcraft Ghost or Duke Nukem Forever, Mad Max has been rumored or started a half a dozen times.  This game has been announced so many times that we are going to have to start giving games like this a new moniker.  
 
In situations like these, we might start saying: 
 "That game is just a Ghost." Or, "They are Nukeming that game again."  "
You do realize that Duke Nukem Forever is actually going to be released, right? So I say that instead of "Nukeming", the word "Shenmue-ing" should be used. 
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Edited By Ramone

I recently watched Mad Max 1 again and that movie is raw as hell. It's weird but I love it however I don't think it would translate that well into game. They should probably just make a general Mad Max game instead of basing it one movie but hey what do I know

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sickVisionz

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Edited By sickVisionz

I'll just play the demo for this one.  I purchased JC2 but after about a week I felt like I would have had just as much fun if I only had the demo to play.

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killer_meatballs

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Edited By killer_meatballs

"Two men enter, one man leaves."

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BraveToaster

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cool

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Jayzilla

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Edited By Jayzilla

no mel gibson=lame. mel gibson IS mad max. just like terminators that arent arnie arent as cool.

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Th3dz

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Sweden, yay!

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Lind_L_Taylor

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Edited By Lind_L_Taylor

We already have Fallout.
 
If they made the Mad Max game like Steve Jackson's Car Wars,
that might be something I could sink my teeth into.  Better yet
they should just make a Car Wars RPG, dammit.