Smilegate, the renowned publisher behind hit titles like Lost Ark, has announced an exciting collaboration with Absurd Ventures to publish the upcoming AAA game from Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser. Founded in 2021 by Houser after his departure from Rockstar Games in 2020, Absurd Ventures is a multimedia company focused on innovative storytelling across various entertainment mediums.

With nearly three decades of experience in the gaming industry, Houser is a legendary figure whose creative vision shaped blockbuster franchises like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Grand Theft Auto 5. The first hints of his return to game development emerged in May 2024 when job listings suggested Absurd Ventures was working on an open-world action-adventure title. That same year, Smilegate confirmed its investment in the studio's ambitious projects.

Now, Smilegate has officially revealed it will publish a AAA game set in Absurd Ventures' A Better Paradise universe. Described as an open-world, sci-fi action-adventure title currently in "early development," the project features Houser as both writer and creative director. He's reuniting with former Rockstar colleagues Lazlow Jones and Michael Unsworth, who co-wrote the critically acclaimed Red Dead Redemption 2. The development team also includes veterans from prestigious studios like Bungie, Treyarch, and Insomniac Games.

Houser shared his enthusiasm for the project, calling it "an opportunity to go somewhere entirely different" and promising players "an entirely new adventure." This marks the third installment in the A Better Paradise universe, following 2024's audio series A Better Paradise Volume One: An Aftermath and an upcoming novel adaptation scheduled for 2025.

Latest Game Information

Smilegate's extensive experience with successful titles like Crossfire and Lost Ark makes them an ideal partner for this ambitious project. The involvement of Unsworth, Houser's longtime collaborator on Red Dead Redemption 2, adds further credibility to the venture. However, with Absurd Ventures working on multiple projects simultaneously, including an action-comedy game announced earlier this year, fans may need to wait patiently for more details about this sci-fi adventure.

The gaming community remains cautiously optimistic after the recent failure of MindsEye, another game led by a former Rockstar executive. While Houser's track record inspires confidence, the pressure is on for Absurd Ventures to deliver an experience that lives up to his Rockstar legacy. Only time will tell if this new venture can recapture the magic of his previous groundbreaking titles.