Dan Houser’s Absurd Ventures Unveils First Look at ‘Absurdaverse’ Game

LOS ANGELES, Calif. — Absurd Ventures, the creative studio founded by Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser, has revealed the first look at characters from its upcoming multimedia universe, the Absurdaverse. The studio announced an in-development story-driven action-comedy adventure game set in this new world, alongside plans for animation projects launching later this year.

In a statement released Thursday, Absurd Ventures teased, “A very first look at just a few characters from the ABSURDAVERSE. Prepare to meet some new kinds of heroes (and watch them suffer).” The announcement included a concept art image featuring a diverse cast of characters, ranging from a skeleton warrior to a modern-day businessman, hinting at a blend of fantasy and contemporary themes.

Houser, who co-created iconic franchises like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption, left Rockstar Games in 2020 to establish Absurd Ventures. The studio has already produced non-game projects, including the audio fiction series “A Better Paradise,” which is set to expand into comics and animation this year.

The Absurdaverse project marks a departure from Houser’s previous work, leaning into a more comedic and absurd tone. While details about the game remain scarce, the studio described it as an “original story-driven action-comedy adventure game.” The concept art suggests a mix of archetypal characters, including a barbarian, a trendy urbanite, and a quirky inventor, among others.

“It’s definitely odd to introduce an ‘IP’ rather than a specific game,” said Jon Bolding, a games writer and critic. “But this seems to want to be a multimedia universe project from the start.” Bolding noted that while the concept art appears generic, Houser’s track record with narrative-driven games offers reason for optimism.

Absurd Ventures has not yet announced a release date for the game or its animation projects. However, the studio promised more information later this year, leaving fans and industry observers curious about how the Absurdaverse will differentiate itself in a crowded entertainment landscape.