Rockstar Co-Founder Dan Houser Unveils New Sci-Fi Open-World Game With Smilegate as Publisher
Big news for fans of open-world games and sci-fi adventures: Dan Houser, the co-founder of Rockstar Games, has officially found a publisher for his next big project. Houser’s new studio, Absurd Ventures, is teaming up with Korean publisher Smilegate to launch a brand-new, AAA, open-world, sci-fi action-adventure game. While the game doesn’t have a title yet, there’s already plenty to get excited about.
- Dan Houser’s Absurd Ventures partners with Smilegate for a new open-world sci-fi game
- The game is set in an original universe called A Better Paradise
- It’s still early in development, with a creative team from former Rockstar Games staff
- The A Better Paradise universe already has an audio series and an upcoming novel
- Absurd Ventures aims to tell new, original stories beyond GTA and Red Dead Redemption
What’s New from Dan Houser?
Dan Houser is no stranger to blockbuster games. After co-founding Rockstar Games and writing hits like Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2, he left the company in 2020. Now, his new studio, Absurd Ventures, is working on something very different: a sci-fi game set in a unique world called A Better Paradise.
The A Better Paradise Universe
This new universe is described as a near-future setting where a digital game-world project, led by Dr. Mark Tyburn, goes off the rails. The story involves advanced software, unexpected and disturbing results, and a team that falls apart under mysterious circumstances. The digital world—and its super-intelligence—are abandoned. But, as you might guess, that’s not the end of the story.
Who’s Involved?
The game is still in early development, but it’s already pulling together a creative dream team. Houser is joined by Lazlow Jones and Michael Unsworth, both of whom worked on multiple GTA and Red Dead Redemption titles. Studio head Greg Borrud, who previously worked at Niantic and co-founded Pandemic Studios, is leading development.
What Has Absurd Ventures Done So Far?
Even though the game isn’t out yet, Absurd Ventures has been busy. The studio released an audio fiction series called A Better Paradise Volume One: An Aftermath, and there’s a novelization of the story coming in October. This shows the team’s commitment to building a rich, original world even before the game hits shelves.
Smilegate Steps In as Publisher
Smilegate, known for publishing Crossfire and Lost Ark, is now on board as the publisher. This partnership aims to bring Houser’s vision to life and help Absurd Ventures reach a global audience. As Houser said, “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.”
What’s Next?
While there’s no release date yet, fans can look forward to updates as development continues. For now, you can check out the audio series and keep an eye out for the novel this October. One thing’s for sure: Dan Houser and his team are aiming to deliver something truly new in the world of open-world sci-fi games.
