Nordisk Games Gives Avalanche Worldwide Duties For Supermassive Games

Nordisk Games announced on October 8, 2026 a strategic partnership between two of its studios, Avalanche Studios Group and Supermassive Games, under which Avalanche takes on global publishing, marketing, and distribution for Supermassive’s titles, beginning with Directive 8020. The company described the agreement as creating a stronger shared foundation for both teams.

The agreement makes Directive 8020 the first game in what Nordisk Games described as a long-term collaboration between the two studios, pairing Avalanche’s publishing operations with Supermassive’s work in narrative horror.

Shared Operational Support, Independent Creative Control

Beyond publishing, the collaboration extends to shared operational support across finance, people, and IT. Both studios remain fully creatively independent under the agreement, retaining complete ownership of their games, their creative direction, and their development roadmaps.

Allan Mathson Hansen, CEO of Nordisk Film & Nordisk Games, described the arrangement as a long-term measure for both teams. “This is about setting our studios up for sustainable, long-term success,” Hansen said. “In a shifting industry, our priority is giving teams the focus they need to do what they do best. A shared foundation allows resources to flow directly into game creation and new ideas.”

Hansen said Avalanche brings publishing strength and operational maturity to the arrangement, while Supermassive brings storytelling craft. He described the partnership as reflecting Nordisk Games’ commitment as an active owner investing in its studios.

Stefanía Halldórsdóttir, CEO of Avalanche Studios Group, cited the performance of one of the group’s live titles. She said 2 million monthly players continue to play theHunter: Call of the Wild nine years after its launch, a player base she said demonstrates the strength of Avalanche’s publishing and live-service operations.

“The team at Supermassive has built an incredible 18-year legacy of creating immersive horror experiences,” Halldórsdóttir said. “By providing the publishing and operational backing, we look forward to supporting their ongoing journey and bringing their games to even more players worldwide.”

Directive 8020, the Partnership’s First Title

Directive 8020 is available on Steam, PlayStation 5, and Xbox Series X|S, according to the game’s official site. A Digital Deluxe Upgrade for the game includes The Dark Pictures Outfit Pack, The Dark Pictures Collectibles, a Cinematic Filter Pack, a digital artbook, and a digital soundtrack.

The science-fiction horror title is set on an Earth that is dying, with humanity running out of time. The colony ship Cassiopeia crash-lands on the planet Tau Ceti f, 12 light years from home, where the crew soon realize they are far from alone. Supermassive’s game page describes the crew as hunted by an alien organism capable of mimicking its prey, with players evading real-time threats and deciding who to trust in a world where anyone could be a deadly alien impostor. The page lists Directive 8020 as a 2026 Dark Pictures game for PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.

Shared Ownership Under Nordisk Games

Both studios already sit within the same portfolio. Supermassive announced on July 12, 2022 that Copenhagen-based Nordisk Games had fully acquired the UK developer, moving to 100% ownership after taking a 30.7% stake in the studio in March 2021. That transaction made Supermassive the third wholly-owned studio in the Nordisk Games portfolio.

Supermassive was founded in 2008 by Pete Samuels and Joe Samuels and grew to more than 300 developers. The studio won a BAFTA for its PS4 title Until Dawn, launched its first owned IP, The Dark Pictures Anthology, in 2019, and had recently released the teen-horror title The Quarry when the acquisition was announced.

Nordisk Games has built a portfolio of minority and majority-owned game studios that also includes Avalanche Studios Group, Star Stable Entertainment, Flashbulb Games, Nitro Games, and MercurySteam. The company is owned by entertainment company Nordisk Film, part of Egmont, a Nordic media group.

Nordisk Games said Supermassive continues development across its slate, including its ongoing work with partners across the industry.