Company:Absurd Ventures

From HandWiki
Absurd Ventures LLC
TypePrivate
Industry
FoundedFebruary 17, 2021; 5 years ago (2021-02-17)
FounderDan Houser
HeadquartersSanta Monica, California
Number of locations
2 (2025)
Key people
  • Greg Borrud (head of games)
  • Dan Houser (creative director)
  • Wendy Smith (COO)
Number of employees
~50 (2025)
SubsidiariesAbsurd Marin
Websitewww.absurdventures.com

Absurd Ventures LLC is an American media, entertainment, and video game company headquartered in Santa Monica, California, with an additional studio in San Rafael, California. The company was founded by Dan Houser in February 2021. The company aims to create new intellectual properties across various mediums, including video games, live-action and animated television, film, fiction podcasts, books, and comic books.[1]

History

Dan Houser founded Absurd Ventures in 2021.[2]

After leaving Rockstar Games in 2020, Dan Houser established Absurd Ventures to explore new creative avenues.[3] Houser registered Absurd Ventures LLC in Delaware on February 17, 2021, and incorporated Absurd Ventures in Games in Altrincham on June 23.[2] He announced the company in June 2023, headquartered in Santa Monica, California, emphasizing the company's mission to "create new universes and to tell great stories, wherever and however we can".[3][4] Several other former Rockstar employees joined Absurd Ventures, including marketing executive Adam Tedman in 2022, producer Lazlow Jones in June 2023,[5] and writer Michael Unsworth in October.[6] Wendy Smith, formerly of Creative Artists Agency, joined the company as chief operating officer in November.[7] Pandemic Studios co-founder Greg Borrud is the company's head of games.[5]

In June 2024, the company partnered with QCode to release A Better Paradise Volume One: An Aftermath, an audio fiction series exploring themes of artificial intelligence and virtual reality. The series debuted at number one on Apple's Fiction charts.[8][9] In September, the season finale received a gold Signal Award for scripted fiction.[10]

In September 2024, Absurd Ventures expanded its operations by establishing a new studio named Absurd Marin, based in San Rafael, California.[11] This studio was formed by integrating members from the former Ascendant Studios team, known for their work on Immortals of Aveum. Bret Robbins, the founder and game director of Ascendant Studios, was appointed as the head of Absurd Marin. The team, comprising approximately 20 developers from Immortals of Aveum, is currently working on a story-driven action-adventure game based on an unannounced new intellectual property.[12] In December 2024, Absurd Ventures secured a strategic investment from South Korean game development and publishing company Smilegate.[13]

In January 2025, the company unveiled the "Absurdaverse", featuring a diverse mix of characters. This universe includes animation projects and an upcoming story-driven action-comedy adventure game.[14] In July, Dark Horse and Absurd Ventures announced American Caper, a 12-issue crime fiction comic book series written by Dan Houser, with additional writing by Lazlow. Additional credits include illustrations by Eisner Award-winning artist David Lapham with finishes by Chris Anderson, colored by Lee Loughridge, and lettering by Nate Piekos. Shelly Bond and Daniel Chabon are co-editors of the series.[15] On November 12, the first issue of American Caper was released. The first trade paperback is slated to be released in June 2026.[16]

In August 2025, Smilegate signed an agreement with Absurd Ventures to publish an upcoming AAA open-world science-fiction action-adventure game set in the A Better Paradise universe.[17] In October 2025, Absurd Ventures released a novel adaption of the A Better Paradise audio fiction series, published by their Absurd Ventures Press publishing imprint and distributed by Simon & Schuster,[8] alongside an Audible audiobook narrated by Ray Porter.[18] On September 27, Houser made his first on-camera interview appearance at LA Comic Con and discussed American Caper and other projects in development at Absurd Ventures.[19] A video game in the A Better Paradise universe is in development.[20] Houser felt the serious tone of A Better Paradise made it suitable as an audio series, novel, television series, and video game, while the Absurdaverse was more suited to animation and a video game, and American Caper to a comic book and trade paperback.[20]

In March 2026, Absurd Ventures announced a book publishing imprint that will feature fiction, nonfiction, memoirs, plays, and short stories from outside writers.[21] On March 11, Absurd Ventures Press acquired the English rights for Torsten Weitze's German fantasy series The Tower of Beggars.[22] A series of Absurdaverse animated shorts are set to be screened at the Netflix Is a Joke Festival in May 2026, featuring actors like Rachel Dratch, Dan Soder, Annie Lederman, and Steph Tolev.[23]

Projects

Year Title Type Series Ref.
2024 A Better Paradise Volume One: An Aftermath Podcast series A Better Paradise [24]
2025 American Caper Comic book series American Caper [25]
A Better Paradise Volume One: An Aftermath Novel & audiobook A Better Paradise [26]
2026 American Caper: Red-Pilled Blues Trade paperback American Caper [27]
TBA Untitled action-adventure game Video game Absurdaverse [28]
Untitled animated series Series [20]
Untitled book Trade paperback American Caper [20]
Untitled game Video game A Better Paradise [20]

References

  1. ↑ Lyles, Taylor (June 15, 2023). "Rockstar Games Co-Founder Dan Houser Announces New Studio, Absurd Ventures" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/rockstar-games-co-founder-dan-houser-announces-new-studio-absurd-ventures. 
  2. ↑ 2.0 2.1 Scullion, Chris (July 2, 2021). "Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser has founded a new studio". Gamer Network. https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/rockstar-co-founder-dan-houser-has-founded-a-new-studio/. 
  3. ↑ 3.0 3.1 McWhertor, Michael (January 31, 2025). "Rockstar Games co-founder teases his new game in absurd, Rockstar style" (in en-US). https://www.polygon.com/news/517281/absurd-ventures-absurdaverse-ex-rockstar-dan-houser. 
  4. ↑ Carnevale, Robert (June 15, 2023). "Rockstar Games Cofounder Dan Houser Launches Media Company Absurd Ventures" (in en-US). https://www.thewrap.com/absurd-ventures-launch-rockstar-games-cofounder-dan-houser/. 
  5. ↑ 5.0 5.1 Chalk, Andy (November 28, 2023). "Rockstar veterans Michael Unsworth and Lazlow Jones have joined Dan Houser's new studio" (in en). PC Gamer. https://www.pcgamer.com/rockstar-veterans-michael-unsworth-and-lazlow-jones-have-joined-dan-housers-new-studio/. 
  6. ↑ Wales, Matt (November 29, 2023). "Red Dead Redemption writer joins Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser's studio" (in en). https://www.eurogamer.net/red-dead-redemption-writer-joins-rockstar-co-founders-absurd-ventures-studio. 
  7. ↑ Maas, Jennifer (November 10, 2023). "Rockstar Games Co-Founder Dan Houser's Absurd Ventures Taps CAA Vet Wendy Smith as COO (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. https://variety.com/2023/tv/news/rockstar-games-dan-houser-absurd-ventures-wendy-smith-coo-1235786397/. Retrieved March 12, 2025. 
  8. ↑ 8.0 8.1 Nawotka, Ed. "Rockstar Games Cofounder Novelizes Popular Podcast for New Imprint" (in en). https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/book-deals/article/97205-rockstar-games-cofounder-novelizes-popular-podcast-for-new-imprint.html. 
  9. ↑ Saunders, Tristram Fane (June 19, 2024). "This toe-curling sci-fi podcast proves good audio drama needs more than money and stars". The Telegraph. https://www.telegraph.co.uk/radio/what-to-listen-to/a-better-paradise-toe-curling-sci-fi-podcast-radio/. Retrieved March 17, 2025. 
  10. ↑ "Signal Awards Gold Winner: A BETTER PARADISE VOLUME ONE: AN AFTERMATH by Absurd Ventures". Signal Awards. https://www.signalaward.com/winners/details/#absurd-ventures/a-better-paradise-volume-one-an-aftermath/0/537573. 
  11. ↑ Dealessandri, Marie (September 13, 2024). "Absurd Ventures launches new studio with Ascendant Studios staff". GamesIndustry.biz. Gamer Network. https://www.gamesindustry.biz/absurd-ventures-launches-new-studio-with-ascendant-studios-staff. Retrieved March 12, 2025. 
  12. ↑ Chalk, Andy (September 13, 2024). "Immortals of Aveum developers find a new home at Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser's Absurd Ventures studio" (in en). PC Gamer. https://www.pcgamer.com/gaming-industry/immortals-of-aveum-developers-find-a-new-home-at-rockstar-co-founder-dan-housers-absurd-ventures-studio/. 
  13. ↑ Blake, Vikki (December 3, 2024). "Smilegate makes strategic investment in Dan Houser's Absurd Ventures" (in en). https://www.gamesindustry.biz/smilegate-makes-strategic-investment-in-dan-housers-absurd-ventures. 
  14. ↑ McWhertor, Michael (January 31, 2025). "Rockstar Games co-founder teases his new game in absurd, Rockstar style" (in en-US). https://www.polygon.com/news/517281/absurd-ventures-absurdaverse-ex-rockstar-dan-houser. 
  15. ↑ "DARK HORSE COMICS AND ABSURD VENTURES PRESENT “AMERICAN CAPER,” A NEW CRIME FICTION COMIC SERIES". July 22, 2025. https://www.darkhorse.com/newsfeed/dark-horse-comics-and-absurd-ventures-present-amer/. 
  16. ↑ "AMERICAN CAPER #1 OUT NOW". November 12, 2025. https://www.absurdventures.com/feed/posts/004000023. 
  17. ↑ Romano, Sal (August 6, 2025). "Smilegate to publish Absurd Ventures’ AAA open-world A Better Paradise game". https://www.gematsu.com/2025/08/smilegate-to-publish-absurd-ventures-aaa-open-world-a-better-paradise-game. 
  18. ↑ Couch, Aaron (September 15, 2025). "Dan Houser Inks Audible Deal for Sci-Fi Thriller "A Better Paradise" (Exclusive)". https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/business/business-news/dan-houser-inks-audible-deal-a-better-paradise-1236369878/. 
  19. ↑ Bankhurst, Adam (September 10, 2025). "Grand Theft Auto's Dan Houser to Make His First On-Camera Interview Appearance at L.A. Comic Con 2025 With IGN". https://www.ign.com/articles/grand-theft-autos-dan-houser-to-make-his-first-on-camera-interview-appearance-at-la-comic-con-2025-with-ign. Retrieved April 6, 2026. 
  20. ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 20.3 20.4 Nawotka, Ed (March 11, 2025). "London Book Fair 2025: Q&A with Dan Houser, Video Game Creator Turned Author". Publishers Weekly. https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/international/london-book-fair/article/97302-london-book-fair-2025-q-a-with-dan-houser-video-game-creator-turned-author.html. Retrieved March 17, 2025. 
  21. ↑ Nawotka, Ed (March 5, 2026). "Dan Houser Expands Absurd Ventures Book Imprint". https://www.publishersweekly.com/pw/by-topic/industry-news/publisher-news/article/99837-dan-houser-expands-absurd-ventures-into-full-publishing-imprint.html. 
  22. ↑ Nathan, Lucy (March 11, 2026). "Absurd Ventures snaps up bestselling German fantasy series". https://www.bookbrunch.co.uk/page/article-detail/absurd-ventures-snaps-up-bestselling-german-fantasy-series/. 
  23. ↑ Maas, Jennifer (April 21, 2026). "Rockstar Games Co-Founder Dan Houser Unveils Cast of His Sprawling 'Absurdaverse' Video Game-TV Series Franchise; First Animated Shorts to Premiere in May (EXCLUSIVE)". Variety. Penske Media Corporation. Archived from the original on April 22, 2026. https://web.archive.org/web/20260422092705/https://variety.com/2026/tv/news/dan-houser-absurdaverse-tv-show-video-game-cast-1236726823/. Retrieved April 22, 2026. 
  24. ↑ Cripe, Michael (May 16, 2024). "First Project From Rockstar Co-Founder's Studio Is an Audio Fiction Series Starring Andrew Lincoln" (in en). https://www.ign.com/articles/first-project-from-rockstar-co-founders-studio-is-an-audio-fiction-series-starring-andrew-lincoln. 
  25. ↑ DiCarlo, J. W. (November 30, 2023). "Rockstar Co-Founder Reveals New Studio’s First Projects" (in en). https://gamerant.com/rockstar-dan-houser-new-project-absurd-ventures/. 
  26. ↑ Tantimedh, Adi (March 2, 2025). "A Better Paradise: Rockstar Co-Founder Dan Houser's Podcast Gets Novel". Bleeding Cool. Avatar Press. https://bleedingcool.com/tv/a-better-paradise-rockstar-co-founder-dan-housers-podcast-gets-novel/. Retrieved March 17, 2025. 
  27. ↑ "The First Collected Edition of American Caper is Coming June 30, 2026". December 11, 2025. https://www.darkhorse.com/newsfeed/the-first-collected-edition-of-american-caper-is-coming-june-23-2026/. 
  28. ↑ Dastoor, Vaspaan (February 3, 2025). "GTA Creator Reveals New Project Called Absurdaverse" (in en). https://www.thegamer.com/gta-creator-dan-houser-absurd-ventures-absurdaverse/. 



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