Having already left his mark on the world of gaming through years spent helming franchises likeGrand Theft AutoandRed Dead Redemption,Rockstar Gamesco-founder Dan Houser has announced his latest venture, a cross-media company named Absurd Ventures. One of the driving forces behind some of the largest properties in the industry, some gamers were less than thrilled whenHouser invested in blockchain gamescompany Revolving Games in late 2022.
Co-founding Rockstar Games with his brother Sam in 1998, Dan Houser served a variety of roles during his time with the iconic company. In addition to serving as the company’s head writer, providing the narrative for nearly every title acrossGrand Theft Auto’s long history, Houser also served as executive producer on multiple Rockstar titles and even did voice work for several games. After over 20 years at the company that he helped foundDan Houser left Rockstar Gamesin 2020 for undisclosed reasons, but has continued investing in various ventures related to the gaming and entertainment industry since that time.
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As reported by gaming news site Video Games Chronicle, Dan Houser has unveiled his latest venture in the form of a media company named Absurd Ventures. Founded to “create new IP across all platforms and for all formats” according to the company, Houser stated that the goal of Absurd Ventures is “to tell great stories, wherever and however we can.” The announcement of the new venture was accompanied by the launch of a cryptic company website and a bizarre announcement trailer on YouTube featuring a description reading “Storytelling. Philanthropy. Ultraviolence.” With its bizarre imagery, ranging from breakdancing zombies to old protest footage, the trailer looks like something ripped from the unusual shows found playing on TVs throughoutRockstar’sMax Paynegames.
Gamers who have been following Dan Houser’s post-Rockstar career moves may recognize the name of his latest company, as he revealed in 2021 that he would be serving as creative director for a studio named Absurd Ventures in Games. Based on the new name and Houser’s statements, Absurd Ventures looks to now be focusing on multiple media channels rather than limiting itself strictly to video games. While the reach of the fledgling company would obviously be smaller than that of the Japanese media giant, Absurd Ventures may be hoping to follow Sony’s lead and create properties that exist across media formats, similar to HBO’sThe Last of UsTV show.
Until more information is revealed about the company’s plans moving forward, gamers will just have to wait and see what Absurd Ventures has in store for them in the future. But with the co-creator of the iconic franchise heading up the company, it could giveRockstar Games’Grand Theft Auto 6a run for its money if and when Absurd Ventures enters the gaming market.
