Absurd Ventures establishes a new studio in collaboration with team members from Ascendant Studios

The gaming landscape welcomes a new addition as Absurd Ventures unveils Absurd Marin, a studio newly formed by the ex-members of Ascendant Studios.

Located in San Rafael, California, this developer will be spearheaded by Ascendant's creator and game director, Bret Robbins.

In response to inquiries regarding the team, a studio representative mentioned that "around 20 developers from the core team behind Immortals of Aveum" are involved, with plans to hire more as the project moves forward.

This fresh developer is engaged in crafting a narrative-heavy adventure game based on a new, undisclosed intellectual property. This undertaking is distinct from another ongoing Absurd Ventures project set in an universe titled A Better Paradise. Both ventures remain in the early phases of their development.

Ascendant Studios, the minds behind Immortals of Aveum, encountered challenges after the game’s disappointing sales led to substantial workforce reductions in September 2023, with 45% of its employees being laid off. Discussions with Robbins earlier this year revealed insights on past difficulties, though he remained optimistic about Ascendant's trajectory. Subsequently, reports indicated that the studio furloughed most of its staff a month later.

Absurd Ventures, established by former Rockstar executive Dan Houser in June 2023, serves as a multi-platform storytelling entity, covering games, animation, literature, podcasts, and more. The company has recently released a 12-episode audio series, A Better Paradise, and is in development of a graphic novel series named American Caper.