Dan Houser, co-founder of Rockstar Games and former writer of fan-anticipated titles like GTA 6, announced in 2021 that he had created a new studio, Absurd Ventures. According to job listings, they are now hiring for a new game that resembles Grand Theft Auto in several ways.
It’s worth remembering that when he founded his studio, Dan said he would dedicate his work to creating “weird shit from desperate people,” along with creativity and innovation in the gaming market. So, will this new project from Houser surpass the works that made him famous and well-known in the video game industry, creating a new game franchise?
Absurd Ventures is Expanding Beyond Their GTA 6-Like Project
Despite the Lead Gameplay Designer position listed on the studio’s LinkedIn specifically seeking individuals to work on the creation of an “open-world action-adventure game,“. The opportunity also highlights that the person in this role will lead a team to create engaging combat and third-person action across various game modes.
The first AAA title from Absurd Ventures, a new studio formed by Rockstar co-founder and long time GTA/RDR veteran Dan Houser, is a "third person open world action adventure game".
— Shinobi602 (@shinobi602) May 15, 2024
➡️ https://t.co/IeUBpTlonF@AbsurdVentures was founded in 2021. pic.twitter.com/rAll83mhn3
Unfortunately, for those eager to see new information about this project soon, it may take some time. Details are scarce, and considering that Absurd Ventures is currently looking for a gameplay designer, it suggests the project might still be in its early stages and could take several years before it is showcased. On the other hand, it’s something for GTA and Red Dead Redemption fans to keep an eye on.
Interestingly, among the other job listings, it seems that the studio is not just working on games but also other projects to enhance the company’s portfolio. Positions like Senior Art Director have more general descriptions, indicating that the responsibilities include the “overall visual direction of projects” and creating “stunning and cohesive game worlds that captivate players.“.
It’s worth mentioning that the creators emphasize this, as they are focused on creating stories for various genres, whether for animations, live-action, video games, books, or even scripted podcasts. For example, this year we’ll see the release of American Caper and A Better Paradise as a comic and an audio series, respectively.
What are Dan Houser’s Major Games?
In addition to working on newest GTA game when he left Rockstar to create Absurd Ventures, Houser is credited with many important video games. The standout titles include Grand Theft Auto 4, 5, Vice City, and San Andreas. He also played a significant role in the Red Dead Redemption franchise.
Houser is not the only former employee working at Absurd Ventures. Lazlow Jones, who also contributed to voice acting and motion capture in GTA games and created some of the in-game radio stations, is now an executive producer at the studio.
Lazlow’s extensive experience in game development and storytelling brings a wealth of talent and creativity to the team, and now we are eagerly awaiting the fruits of this partnership in new projects.
These are the current details we have about Absurd Ventures’ first video game project. Will they be able to produce a franchise that challenges GTA’s status, taking advantage of the recent layoffs at Take-Two? Are you excited about this potential rivalry? Share your thoughts with us in the comments.
