Just Cause developer Avalanche Studios is currently working on a multiplayer live service game using Unreal Engine.
According to job listings for the positions of Gameplay Systems Programmer and Technical Director (via IdleSloth84_ on Twitter/X) at Just Cause creator Avalanche Studios, the developer is entering pre-production on a multiplayer live-service game using Unreal Engine rather than its proprietary Apex Engine.
The job description for the position of Technical Director states that the new recruit will take the reins of the new project’s technical vision, which is said to be moving from the prototyping phase into pre-production. They will be required to transition the project from a proven prototype into a high-performance production-ready system, ensuring the technical foundation is scalable for full-scale development. They will be responsible for defining the technical architecture, establishing the long-term engineering roadmap, and ensuring the development team at Avalanche Studios has the robust tools and systems needed to bring “this ground-breaking experience” to a launch state. The position also requires setting the standard for Unreal Engine development on the project, overseeing everything from core systems to performance optimization and multiplayer stability.
Similarly, the job description for the position of Gameplay Systems Programmer includes refactoring existing solutions and transforming prototyped features into production-ready systems. The position also requires experience working in a live-service game environment, particularly with content updates and feature rollouts. The new recruit is also expected to have knowledge of Unreal Engine’s Gameplay Ability System (GAS), Unreal Gameplay Framework, experience designing APIs used by other programmers, strong replication/networking literacy, and familiarity with data-driven design patterns.
In August, 2025, Microsoft canceled Contraband, the previous title Avalanche Studios had been working on, after nearly four years without any update on its development. The game was originally unveiled during the Xbox and Bethesda Games Showcase in 2021 as a first-party exclusive. It was billed as a co-op multiplayer game set in the 1970s fictional world of Bayan, described by the developers as a “smuggler’s paradise.”
