Last Updated on October 1, 2024
↖ Absurd Ventures Launches New Studio Absurd Marin, Led by Ex-Immortals Team
Absurd Ventures, founded a few years ago by veteran Rockstar developer Dan Houser, has announced the establishment of a new studio named Absurd Marin. This newly formed studio has gathered a team predominantly made up of former developers from Ascendant Studios, known for their ambitious project, "Immortals of Aveum."
"Immortals of Aveum," which was released last year amidst a crowded lineup of game releases, unfortunately fell short of the sales expectations that were anticipated due to its hefty budget. The commercial underperformance led to a series of layoffs at Ascendant Studios, a situation that many in the industry lamented, regardless of their opinions on the game.
Bret Robbins, the director of "Immortals" and co-founder of Ascendant Studios, will take the helm at Absurd Marin. As of now, the new studio is comprised of approximately 20 key developers who were instrumental in the creation of "Immortals of Aveum." They are currently embarking on a project that promises to be a "story-driven adventure game."
At this stage of development, the title of this upcoming game remains undisclosed. It is worth noting that this project is distinct from another title being created by Absurd Ventures, which draws inspiration from a universe titled "A Better Paradise." This name also corresponds with a 12-part audio series that Absurd has been developing.
In May, job postings hinted at potential themes and gameplay elements related to the project from Absurd Ventures, although the company has maintained a degree of secrecy regarding the specifics.
While fans may have to be patient for more updates on either project, the emergence of Absurd Marin is a positive sign for the developers affected by layoffs at Ascendant, where around 45% of the workforce was let go following the game’s poor reception.
Connor Makar, an industry reviewer, commented on the unfortunate fate of "Immortals of Aveum," describing it as a game that was unceremoniously set up for failure. He highlighted that "Immortals of Aveum" sought to mix classic first-person shooter gameplay with engaging spellcasting, but ultimately fell short of delivering an exciting experience, especially in a competitive release window filled with standout titles.
The launch of Absurd Marin represents a fresh opportunity for talented developers to create new gaming experiences, and it will be interesting to see what innovations they bring to the industry in the future.