Absurd Ventures Secures Publisher for Sci-Fi Epic

Absurd Ventures, the innovative studio founded by Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser, has officially announced a publishing partnership with South Korean gaming giant Smilegate for its highly anticipated debut title. This collaboration marks a significant milestone for Absurd Ventures as it embarks on creating a unique open-world, sci-fi action-adventure game, designed to immerse players in an entirely fresh and original universe. The project, currently in its early stages of development, aims to push the boundaries of storytelling and interactive experiences, leveraging the creative prowess of a team enriched with veterans from the acclaimed Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption series.

The partnership not only signifies a promising future for Absurd Ventures' ambitious project but also highlights the studio's commitment to delivering captivating original content. With a focus on innovative narrative structures and engaging gameplay, this venture is poised to offer gamers a distinct and compelling adventure that stands apart in the competitive landscape of AAA titles. The backing from Smilegate, known for publishing successful games like Crossfire and Lost Ark, provides a strong foundation for Absurd Ventures to realize its grand vision, ensuring that Houser's post-Rockstar endeavor makes a significant impact on the global gaming stage.

A New Chapter for Game Design

Absurd Ventures, the visionary new studio established by Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser, has officially secured a publishing agreement with Smilegate, a prominent Korean publisher. This collaboration is set to bring Absurd Ventures' inaugural project to fruition: a Triple-A, expansive open-world, science fiction action-adventure game. The game is conceptualized within a unique universe, promising an entirely fresh narrative landscape for players to explore. Houser's departure from Rockstar Games paved the way for this ambitious undertaking, signaling his intent to craft distinctive and compelling original experiences.

The untitled game is designed to transport players into an unprecedented adventure within the 'A Better Paradise' universe. This setting has already been introduced through an audio fiction series and a forthcoming novel, illustrating Absurd Ventures' dedication to multi-platform storytelling. The development team is bolstered by former Rockstar Games talents, including Lazlow Jones and Michael Unsworth, ensuring a rich narrative and engaging gameplay. This partnership with Smilegate, renowned for its successful titles, underscores a shared vision for pushing creative boundaries in the gaming industry, setting the stage for a highly anticipated release that aims to redefine player engagement in the sci-fi genre.

Building the 'A Better Paradise' Universe

The core of Absurd Ventures' new game lies within its meticulously crafted 'A Better Paradise' universe, an original intellectual property that has been gradually unveiled through various media. This futuristic setting, detailed on the studio's website, narrates the compelling tale of an ill-fated digital game-world project. Led by the enigmatic Dr. Mark Tyburn, a psychologist and inventor, the project initially aimed to create an ambitious digital realm. However, as the advanced software began yielding unsettling and unforeseen outcomes, the development team fractured under mysterious circumstances, leading to the abandonment of the project. The highly intelligent game world and its embedded super-intelligence were left dormant, awaiting rediscovery—until now.

Absurd Ventures has been strategically laying the groundwork for this universe, not only through the upcoming game but also via an audio fiction series, 'A Better Paradise Volume One: An Aftermath,' and a planned novelization. This multi-faceted approach demonstrates the studio's commitment to building a deeply immersive and expansive world for its audience. With the game currently in early development, under the creative guidance of Dan Houser, Lazlow Jones, and Michael Unsworth—all veterans from Rockstar Games—the 'A Better Paradise' universe is poised to offer players a truly unique and intricate sci-fi experience. The collaboration with Smilegate further solidifies the potential for this universe to captivate a global audience with its rich lore and innovative gameplay.