Dan Houser, the Rockstar Games co-founder who now leads Absurd Ventures, says the studio expects to share more about two games: an open-world comedy built around comedy and character memory, and a dystopian sci-fi story involving a rogue sentient AI. Houser said more information on the comedy project would come “in the next few months,” but did not give an exact date. Neither game has a confirmed final title, platform, release date, or price.
What games is Dan Houser working on?
The games are being developed by Absurd Ventures, not Rockstar Games. Houser founded the company after his time at Rockstar. A December 2025 Guardian interview connects the comedy project to the Absurdaverse and the sci-fi project to A Better Paradise.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
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A BETTER PARADISE: Volume One (An Aftermath) | $14.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Atlas Once Upon A Time 3rd Ed, Multi-Colored, Kid Game | $24.52 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
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Renegade Game Studios Wraith & The Giants Solo Strategy Card Game | $32.98 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Theatre of the Absurd | Buy on Amazon | |
| 5 |
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Triple A: A Game Dev Story | $0.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| Project | Genre and tone | Fictional world | Stated hook |
|---|---|---|---|
| Open-world comedy | Comedy | Associated with the Absurdaverse; the game’s official title has not been confirmed. | Comedy and character memory |
| Dystopian sci-fi game | Dystopian science fiction | A Better Paradise | A video-game development goes badly wrong, and a rogue AI becomes sentient. |
These are separate projects, with different premises and tones. Houser’s character-memory description applies to the comedy game, not the sentient-AI story.
What is the open-world comedy about?
Houser described it as “an open-world comedy which is trying to really lean into comedy and character memory.” He added that the company would have more information “in the next few months,” according to Insider Gaming’s October 2, 2026 report, which covered his remarks on Variety’s Strictly Business podcast.
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The Guardian has described Absurdaverse as a comedy universe and the game as a “living sitcom.” Houser also said it is mechanics-driven and aims to balance accessibility with depth. Those descriptions offer a sense of the project’s direction, not a detailed account of its gameplay systems.
What is the dystopian sci-fi game about?
Houser described a story about “a video game development gone very wrong” and a rogue AI that discovers sentience. In his account, the AI was made by two people who disliked each other, and “so it doesn’t like itself.” The premise links a troubled creative project to an AI with an identity shaped by its creators’ conflict.
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- Tell a tale based on random topics in your hand and try to steer the story toward your secret conclusion.
- Appeals to players of all ages.
- Once Upon a Time is a game in which the players work together to create a new fairy tale using elements from their cards like dungeons, giants, and cauldrons. Steer the story toward the secret ending you hold.
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The game is associated with A Better Paradise, a story world that Absurd Ventures first released as a 12-part podcast in 2024, according to the Guardian interview. Houser later developed the story as a novel, while the studio was working on an open-world game version. In an earlier Lex Fridman interview transcript, Houser said the game was in early development in Santa Monica at the time of that interview; that earlier status should not be read as a current development update.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.When will the games be revealed?
The only timing guidance in the October 2 report applies to the comedy project: Houser said the studio would share more information in the next few months. He did not specify a date, and the report gives no equivalent reveal window for the A Better Paradise game. The relative timing is not a confirmed release window for either title.
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What details remain unconfirmed?
- Final titles: Absurdaverse is the name of the comedy universe, but it has not been confirmed as the game’s official title. A Better Paradise identifies the sci-fi story world, not necessarily the game’s final title.
- Platforms and release dates: The cited reporting does not name supported platforms or launch dates.
- Price and detailed gameplay: No price or comprehensive gameplay description is provided.
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
