Absurd Ventures

Today, we’ve announced the first wave of voice castings for the Absurdaverse, our interconnected comedy satire universe with untitled animated series and video game projects in development. With an ensemble cast of hundreds expected across the Absurdaverse projects, the first slate of names leans heavily into comedy veterans and standup stars including Rachel Dratch, Dan Soder, Ari Matti, Annie Lederman, Yamaneika Saunders, and Steph Tolev, with many more to be confirmed in the future. More details at Variety: https://lnkd.in/gygxA6Sw The very first animated shorts will be premiered at an exclusive live comedy event as part of the Netflix Is A Joke Festival on May 7 at the Hollywood Improv in Los Angeles. In these original shorts featuring character designs by Kendra Melton (Rick & Morty, Venture Bros), eventgoers will be introduced to an ensemble of eclectic and unhinged characters, including a Chief People Officer who treats his job like a DJ residency (voiced by Dan Soder), a chain-smoking sovereign citizen podcaster (voiced by Rachel Dratch), an insane MMA fighter (voiced by up-and-coming comedian, Samantha Alton), and more. The event will feature live standup from Patton Oswalt and Absurdaverse cast members Dan Soder, Ari Matti, Yamaneika Saunders, Steph Tolev, and host Annie Lederman. Limited tickets are now available: https://lnkd.in/gMx_csg6

Join our Absurd teams at our studios in Santa Monica and San Rafael. Check out all our open roles in game development, books publishing, marketing and more, including: Lead Character Artist VFX Director Principal Gameplay Designer Publishing Manager (Books) Marketing Coordinator and many others See all current opportunities at https://lnkd.in/g5z6jPW4

The legendary video game developer has expanded his self-publishing venture into a new publishing program that will acquire across numerous genres. The U.K.’s Midas Group will handle submissions. https://lnkd.in/g_-DdgSx

This week, we released the debut issue of our new crime fiction comic book series, AMERICAN CAPER # 1 – in partnership with Dark Horse Comics, LLC. Copies are sold out at our official store but may still be found at comic shops across America and beyond. https://lnkd.in/gGdwiUQK

Watch Dan’s in-depth conversation with Lex Fridman, discussing past work and shedding light on Absurd’s various projects across the A Better Paradise, Absurdaverse, and American Caper worlds.

The novelization of A BETTER PARADISE Volume One: An Aftermath is out now in hardcover, ebook and audio. The audiobook is read by legendary narrator Ray Porter and is available exclusively on Audible.   “At its heart, this is a mythological story about video game development. I have always felt this is fascinating source material for narrative fiction and am finally getting the opportunity to explore it with A Better Paradise Volume One: An Aftermath.” - Dan Houser "A harrowing techno-futurist fever dream of justifiably paranoid creators being hunted down by their own creation. A game-dev's worst nightmare, imagined by one of the best writers ever to work in the gaming industry. “Frankenstein” meets “Free Guy”... if both were on a really bad acid trip." - Ernest Cline, author of Ready Player One “This book has everything a reader could possibly ask for—interesting and complicated characters, a sense of foreboding balanced with humor, and a brilliantly executed story that keeps you on the edge of your seat wanting more. It is a privilege to narrate it.” - Ray Porter This book is the first story from an expansive new universe and is also the first release from our Absurd Ventures Press imprint, distributed by Simon & Schuster. Physical novel retail links: https://lnkd.in/g6_xM3cC Audible listing: https://lnkd.in/gCGbJzpH Thank you to our partners at Audible, Simon & Schuster and Midas.

Thank you to L.A. Comic Con, Comikaze Entertainment, Inc., IGN Entertainment, Ryan McCaffrey for hosting and moderating this In Conversation panel with Dan Houser at the 2025 L.A. Comic Con last weekend.   For those that weren’t able to watch it live, you can view the conversation at IGN’s YouTube channel where Dan speaks a bit about his body of work on series like GTA, Red Dead and Bully, as well as upcoming projects at Absurd Ventures including our forthcoming crime-fiction comic book series, American Caper. https://lnkd.in/gAwMQcVq  

We are honored to exclusively partner with Audible on the A Better Paradise series of books – beginning with the upcoming October 14 release of A Better Paradise Volume One: An Aftermath which will be read by legendary narrator, Ray Porter. Dan Houser: “I have loved audiobooks for many years and am an avid Audible listener. I am honored to partner with Audible on A Better Paradise and am grateful to legendary narrator Ray Porter for bringing this story to life.” The audiobook’s narrator, Ray Porter: “This book has everything a reader could possibly ask for—interesting and complicated characters, a sense of foreboding balanced with humor, and a brilliantly executed story that keeps you on the edge of your seat wanting more. It is a privilege to narrate it.” Read more at The Hollywood Reporter: https://lnkd.in/gBYcbE54

Tune in to IGN Entertainment on Saturday September 27, 12pm PT for a live broadcast from the Los Angeles Comic-Con main stage of Dan Houser’s talk with IGN Senior Executive Editor, Ryan McCaffrey: “In Conversation with Dan Houser: Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption, and now American Caper” “We are thrilled to have Dan Houser at L.A. Comic Con for his first on-camera interview and to bring this moment to the gaming community of Los Angeles,” said Chris DeMoulin, CEO of Comikaze Entertainment, parent company of L.A. Comic Con. “It’s a rare opportunity to hear directly from a creator whose work has defined some of the most iconic games of this generation. We’re excited for the gamers and fans who will be able to witness this moment and more at our show.” “I am very honored to take the stage at Absurd Ventures’ home town comic convention, Los Angeles Comic-Con, with IGN Senior Executive Editor Ryan McCaffrey,” said Dan Houser. “I look forward to speaking about all our upcoming, varied projects at Absurd including our two open world video games, the American Caper comic book series, which is my new take on crime fiction storytelling making its first appearance this fall, and the upcoming novel of A Better Paradise — as well as indulging in a trip down memory lane speaking about the characters and worlds of GTA, Red Dead, Bully and other games that I had the privilege to write and direct over the years.” Visit IGN for more information: https://lnkd.in/gr45EUFY

We are excited to host this month’s WONDERful Womxn in Video Games event at the Absurd Ventures office in Santa Monica. If you are in the Los Angeles area and would like to attend this private event, please contact Devoted Studios to RSVP.