Avalanche Software

Avalanche Software is a Salt Lake City-based AAA game developer and a first-party development division of WB Games Inc. The studio develops action-RPG, open-world and franchise-based games for console and PC audiences, combining gameplay systems, narrative design, technical art, animation, audio and live-operations support.

Its development work spans character action, adventure mechanics, progression systems, branching stories and open-world mission design. The team also supports multi-platform engineering in Unreal Engine, asset-outsource coordination, quality assurance and dialogue mastering. In-house production capabilities include performance capture, environmental storytelling and surround-sound design.

From licensed games to open-world RPGs

Founded in 1995, Avalanche built an early portfolio across home consoles, including work on Ultimate Mortal Kombat 3, Mortal Kombat Trilogy, Mortal Kombat Mythologies: Sub-Zero, the Tak and the Power of Juju series and Nickelodeon-licensed games. Following its 2005 acquisition by Buena Vista Games, the studio became a key console developer for Disney Interactive Studios.

Notable projects from that period include Toy Story 3: The Video Game, Cars 2: The Video Game and the Disney Infinity series. Toy Story 3 introduced the open-ended "Toy Box" concept, while Disney Infinity brought together Disney, Pixar, Marvel and Star Wars properties in a toys-to-life format.

Avalanche reopened under Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment in 2017 and released Cars 3: Driven to Win before leading development of Hogwarts Legacy. Released in 2023 under the Portkey Games label, the open-world Wizarding World action-RPG became the year’s best-selling video game worldwide and sold more than 22 million copies during 2023.

Today, the studio continues to develop Wizarding World titles and support ongoing live updates, drawing on its experience with licensed entertainment properties, large-scale game worlds and cross-platform production.