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Disney Infinity developer Avalanche Software reopens as a Warner Bros. studio, working on Cars 3

Avalanche will work closely with Disney and Pixar to create a game based on the Cars 3 animated film.

David Craddock

January 24, 2017 12:58 PM

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Warner Bros. Interactive has reopened Disney Infinity developer Avalanche Software under its umbrella of studios.

Avalanche Software CEO John Blackburn is back in his leadership role. His team's first project under their new owner is Cars 3, based on the upcoming animated film by Disney and Pixar.

"It is a tremendous pleasure to welcome Avalanche Software into our development stable, and we look forward to working with our new team, Pixar Animation Studios, and DCPI [Disney Consumer Products and Interactive Media] to create Cars 3 based on the upcoming film and hugely popular franchise," said David Haddad, president, Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment.

"The Avalanche talent and technology are a great addition to our group of outstanding developers, and we are excited for this Cars 3 game as well as all of the future games the team will create under John's leadership," Haddad continued.

Blackburn and his team should feel right at home working with Lightning McQueen and other Cars characters. In 2011 Avalanche Software developed a Cars 2 console game based on the animated sequel.

In one of 2016's biggest gaming-related stories, Avalanche Software was shuttered after Disney pulled the plug on toys-to-life brand Disney Infinity, resulting in layoffs of approximately 300 employees.

Almost immediately following news of Avalanche's closure, Blackburn published a blog thanking his team for their years of hard work. "Our goal for Disney Infinity was to bring the best of Disney storytelling to life in homes around the world, and with your support we accomplished that. We hope you had as much fun playing the game as we had making it."

According to GameSpot, the new Avalanche team employs more than 100 employees. WB Interactive declined to provide an exact head count.

[Source: Game Informer]

David Craddock

Long Reads Editor

David L. Craddock writes fiction, nonfiction, and grocery lists. He is the author of the Stay Awhile and Listen series, and the Gairden Chronicles series of fantasy novels for young adults. Outside of writing, he enjoys playing Mario, Zelda, and Dark Souls games, and will be happy to discuss at length the myriad reasons why Dark Souls 2 is the best in the series. Follow him online at davidlcraddock.com and @davidlcraddock.