Absurd Ventures, the new multimedia company created by Rockstar Games‘ co-founder Dan Houser has found a publisher for their first game. Smilegate announced via a press release on Wednesday that they would be publishing Absurd Ventures’ open world sci-fi game. The press release also contains a rare statement from the man himself.
Last year, we learned how South Korean game publisher Smilegate made a significant investment in Absurd Ventures. Now the two have extended the partnership. Where Take-Two publishes Rockstar Games titles, Smilegate will publish Absurd’s open world title. This is separate from the previously announced “Absurdaverse” game which is not an open world game.
Contract Signed
The press release states the two companies signed an agreement “to globally publish the studio’s upcoming AAA, open-world, sci-fi action-adventure game, set in its mind-bending A BETTER PARADISE universe.” A BETTER PARADISE has so far seen a narrative release in the form of a podcast that dropped last year. This will continue with a novel out in October. All of this builds up towards the open world game.
Game Development Update
According to Smilegate, this new game is “early development, the video game is being written and creative directed by Houser alongside his worldbuilding and creative team which includes longtime collaborators Lazlow, and Michael Unsworth.”
GTA fans will know Lazlow as being a longtime cast member running radio stations and more. Meanwhile Unsworth was a key writer on Rockstar titles with Dan Houser. On top of that, the studio head is Greg Borrud. He is best known for being General Manager of Niantic and co-founder of Pandemic Studios.
“With a top-tier development team, Absurd is officially in development on this new AAA game, driven by an ambitious and exciting creative vision.”
The talent roster has continued to expand. A second studio was setup with ex-Call of Duty Creative Director Bret Robbins. Staff who have joined the studio hail from Bungie, Treyarch, Respawn, Insomniac, Riot, and more.
Dan Houser Statement
Smilegate’s CEO said they “are thrilled to take on this new challenge in the global AAA game market alongside Dan Houser and Absurd”. Meanwhile Mr Houser explained why he created Absurd in the first place:
“Absurd Ventures was set up to tell new and different kinds of stories, and to create what I hope are interesting and compelling original experiences. This new game is an opportunity to go somewhere entirely different and to take players on an entirely new adventure. I am excited to be going on this journey with the amazing team that we are building here at Absurd Ventures and am grateful that we are partnering with Smilegate who really understand and support our vision.”
Are you interested in Dan Houser’s new open world game? Let us know in the comments. Stay tuned to RockstarINTEL for news updates on Absurd Ventures and everything Rockstar Games.
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