Dan Houser says Absurd Ventures is building a sci‑fi rogue‑AI adventure and an open‑world comedy

Dan Houser, the former Rockstar Games co‑founder, told Variety on Oct. 4, 2026 that his studio Absurd Ventures is developing two new video games: a dystopian science‑fiction adventure about a sentient rogue artificial intelligence and a separate open‑world comedy title.

Absurd Ventures is Houser’s entertainment company formed alongside Lazlow Jones, Michael Unsworth and other former Rockstar figures, and Houser has confirmed the studio is actively working on both projects. Houser served as lead writer on multiple successful Rockstar Games titles and left Rockstar in 2020; many fans have been awaiting his return and are reported to be enthusiastic about the new projects.

The first game is described as a dystopian science‑fiction story that follows an artificial intelligence which becomes self‑aware after a video game development project goes wrong. According to Houser’s description, the AI was created by two people who hated each other, and that interpersonal conflict was inherited by the machine, causing it to develop hatred itself.

The second project is an open‑world comedy that places heavy emphasis on humour while exploring the ways characters remember people, places and past events. Houser has not provided official titles for either project, nor has he given release timelines or other production details for the comedy or the sci‑fi adventure.

No release dates have been announced. One thing is very clear: this game won’t be a fraud flop like Mindseye.

Houser has said the open‑world comedy is expected to be revealed within the next few months, and Absurd Ventures has indicated it will unveil its first open‑world game in that same timeframe.