Avalanche Studios has confirmed that it is readying to lay off 77 of its employees, about half of the studio's total workforce. Among those who will most likely be laid off are some members of the Just Cause 2 (Xbox 360, PS3, PC) team.

Good news for basement game developers seeking a break into the elite group of creative, intelligent individuals behind today's games. Avalanche Studios, creator of the critically-acclaimed multi-platform title Just Cause, will not only be unveiling its latest creation - the Avalanche Engine - but will also looking for new talent to be interviewed on-site, as well as give potential hires a glimpse of how the company works behind the scenes.

With growth comes challenges, and Avalanche Studios is no stranger to the adage. Attendees of Nordic Game 2007 will learn how the company copes with the difficulties of expanding from a sparsely-staffed, one-project-at-a-time outfit into a full-blown games development giant with a staff of over a hundred strong and an appetite for cross-platform, cross-genre and cross-IP title production. Christofer Sundberg, Co-founder and Creative Director says it like it is:

Growing isn’t cool in itself but sometimes it’s a necessary evil considering the complexity of today's projects. Improving efficiency at Avalanche Studios has been key in avoiding the trap of becoming a slow-moving beast – our experiences with managing growth are something we’re very happy to share with our industry colleagues at Nordic Game.

And as mentioned earlier, Avalanche Studios IS looking for new talent, and it will be interviewing those who take up the challenge personally at the developers' Career Expo Booth, handled by representatives from the Stockholm studios' management, technical, and art departments.  If you're ready and willing, set up the interview by calling Linda Bäcklund at +46 (0)84427670 or via e-mail at Avalanche Studios’ recruitment hotline at jobs@avalanchestudios.se.

In the run-up to Just Cause's late September release, BlogCritics.org sat down with Just Cause Creative Director Christofer Sundberg and Technical Director Linus Blomberg to discuss the game. Discuss they did, and the interview revealed just how ambitious they were in creating this game.

Like, for example, eliminating loading times while offering a big free-play environment over a thousand square kilometers big. The Avalanche Studios team behind the game essentially programmed a "streaming" game environment that contiuously loads itself in the background. What's even more ambitious is that this is done on all the release platforms - the high-spec Xbox 360 as well as lower-end PCs, the PS2, and Xbox. Of course the low-end versions cut down on graphics resolutions, but it is still the same game environment and gameplay, Linus assures.

Christofer explains how Just Cause was born - an idea for a free-play game with lots of vehicles in it, with its Caribbean setting finalized over a few drinks of rum at the bar (rum and the Caribbean... how appropriate!) - and the initial scketches of its lead character Rico Rodriguez. He also reveals that the team was inspired and influenced by a lot of old movies, news, documentaries, and comic books when designing the game. To those who've noted that Just Cause feels like GTA, James Bond, and Far Cry thrown together, Cristofer also says that they weren't looking in those directions while designing this game. "I think Just Cause stands on its own two legs."

Both confirm that they're kicking around ideas for a Rico sequel, but right now there's another project on Avalanche's plate.

Christofer Sundberg, Founder and Creative Director of Avalanche Studios says that they decided on the name Avalanche because "snow is cool" and they are like "two thousand tons of cool moving very quickly." Ironically, he goes into details of their sizzling hot new game set in the tropical island of San Esperito where the Rico Rodriguez will have the bad guys for lunch, Just Cause.

Although he talks about the developments in the game rather casually, you'd get a lot of serious information on how far you can take the game and vice versa. The stunts, according to Sundberg, is the main feature of the game. As Rico Rodriguez you can use your parachute to parasail or skydive, jump from car to and from cars,cliffs even airplanes.

He further revealed that there are 300 side missions and bonus missions if you're not in the mood for the 21 story missions. He adds that what sets Just Cause apart from other titles is its tongue in cheek storyline. But of course, you don't want to hear everything from this article, so download the developer diary now for more information on Avalanche Studio's Just Cause.

Download: [Just Cause Development Diary Video]

Just Cause will make you take the role of CIA  undercover agent, Rico Rodriguez whose job description includes overthrowing the corrupt government of San Esperito, riding fast cars, and getting rid of WMDs. The game is set to hit store shelves this coming September 26, but if you just can't wait to break it in, then it might please you that Eidos will release an X360 demo on Xbox Live Marketplace on August 24. A PC demo is expected "a few days later."

The demos will feature a customized mission set on a totally new island, not included in the retail game. Avalanche Studios developers confirmed the release date of the demo and according to Christofer Sundberg, the Just Cause area available in XBL was created especially for the demo. You will be able to play on an island which will be missing in the final version of the game; probably their way of enticing us while still keeping us excited for its September release.

The box art will remind you of Che Guevara no doubt, maybe because this game is all about taking the power back. In Just Cause, you play the suave undercover CIA agent specializing in regime change, Rico Rodriguez. As the flamboyant Rodriguez, you single-handedly try to overthrow the corrupt government of San Esperito, a land of excessive firearms, fast cars and loose women.

It gives you complete freedom on what kind of tactical operation to pull to complete your assignment. You can play the island's factions off against one another; incite a rebellion among the masses; or build alliances with rebel forces and drug cartels.

Recently, thrillskilla, of K1lla's Xbox Domain, has had the rare chance to sit down and talk with Avalanche's Co-Founder Christofer Sundberg and Design director Odd Ahlgen. Here's an excerpt from that interview. The full interview is available via the read link.

1-Can you tell us about your company Avalanche Studios?

Christofer/Odd: Avalanche Studios is a quite young games developer based in Stockholm, Sweden. Founded in early 2003 by me (Christofer) and Linus Blomberg, Avalanche Studios is currently in development of Just Cause (Published by Eidos) and three new PC and console projects. The company is focused on developing exciting and innovative game properties such as Just Cause and develops then based on our Avalanche Engine.

2-Can you give us an overview of “Just Cause”?

Christofer/Odd: Just Cause is a freeroaming action game set in the tropical dictatorship of San Esperito. The player takes on the role of Rico Rodriguez, a “muy suave” secret agent with a penchant for an excessive use of firearms, fast cars, and loose woman. Rico is the agency's expert in “regime change” and is sent to San Esperito to topple the dictator Salvador Mendoza. Recent Intel reveals that El Presidente has been stockpiling WMD”s (Weapons of Mass Destruction) and the agency can’t have that! Not so close to the eastern seaboard…..

3-What games have influenced “Just Cause”?

Christofer/Odd: We figure that you are probably influenced by everything you play, from old-time coin ops to the most sophisticated strategy game. But most of all we are influenced by other media, like action movies, comic books, and pulp novels. There’s just so much stuff to tap into everywhere. A limitless supply of interesting and cool stuff to put into games really.

4- How long has “Just Cause” been in development?

Christofer/Odd: 3 Years.

5- Will “Just Cause” be Multi-Platformed?

Christofer/Odd: Yep, it will be available on Xbox, Xbox 360, PS2 and PC.