Absurd Ventures, based by former Rockstar Video games co-founder Dan Houser, has introduced an settlement with Smilegate to publish the corporate’s first recreation. Going down in its A Higher Paradise universe, will probably be an open-world sci-fi motion journey with a triple-A scope.
The unnamed title is in early improvement with Houser serving as the author and inventive director. Lazlow and Michael Unsworth, who’ve additionally labored with him prior to now on Grand Theft Auto, are additionally a part of the inventive workforce. It’s additionally value noting that whereas Smilegate made a strategic funding within the firm final yr, it’s planning “full-scale funding” and funding improvement on the brand new title.
In a press launch, Smilegate CEO Sung Joon-ho mentioned, “We’re thrilled to tackle this new problem within the international AAA recreation market alongside Dan Houser and Absurd. We’re assured that the robust storytelling of the A Higher Paradise universe, mixed with the event capabilities of the Absurd workforce, will lead to an impressive title.
“We’re an organization with a developer-first DNA and really perceive what improvement studios want. By means of our partnership with Absurd, we are going to totally assist the A Higher Paradise recreation undertaking and do our utmost to assist create a brand new title that will likely be beloved by gamers all over the world. Smilegate will leverage its intensive expertise and success in international markets to make sure the A Higher Paradise undertaking turns into a beloved success worldwide.”
Houser added, “Absurd Ventures was set as much as inform new and totally different sorts of tales, and to create what I hope are attention-grabbing and compelling authentic experiences. This new recreation is a chance to go someplace solely totally different and to take gamers on a wholly new journey. I’m excited to be occurring this journey with the wonderful workforce that we’re constructing right here at Absurd Ventures, and I’m grateful that we’re partnering with Smilegate, who actually perceive and assist our imaginative and prescient.”
The outcomes might take some time to manifest, however it needs to be attention-grabbing to look at, particularly within the wake of MindsEye’s failure. Helmed by former Rockstar North president and GTA producer Leslie Benzies, it launched to adverse opinions from critics and gamers. There have been updates to deal with the various points, however the promised Hitman collaboration is delayed, and Construct A Rocket Boy’s workers are allegedly vulnerable to layoffs.