Dan Houser's Absurd Ventures Scoops Up Immortals of Aveum Talent, Forms New Studio

A core of developers from Ascendant Studios (including its CEO), the team behind first-person caster Immortals of Aveum, has been snapped up by Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser's new outfit, Absurd Ventures. According to a press release (thanks, IGN), they will form a new studio called Absurd Marin and work on a "story-driven action-adventure" game set in Absurd Ventures' interconnected A Better Paradise Universe.

More than half of Ascendant Studios was laid off following the lacklustre sales performance of Immortals of Aveum (and the rest seemingly furloughed). Houser, the creative director, producer and lead writer on tiny indie games like Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2, has seemingly identified a kindred spirit in Ascendant Studios founder and director Bret Robbins, who will lead Absurd Marin. Houser said of the formation: "Bret has put together a highly talented, passionate team. We are very excited to have them join forces with us as we begin to work together on one of our original new titles."