Absurd Ventures, the entertainment company co-founded by veteran game developer Dan Houser just a few years ago, has announced the establishment of a new studio under its umbrella. Absurd Marine, a studio founded by former developers of the troubled Ascendant Studios’ project Immortals of Aveum, starts with a core team of seasoned professionals.
Indeed, The Immortals of Aveum, which arrived on the market last year amidst a plethora of other attention-grabbing releases, ultimately failed to meet its expected sales targets due to various unfortunate circumstances that can often arise, including this one, resulting in a financial shortfall that was likely exacerbated by executives’ overoptimistic projections. The layoffs at Ascendant were a decision that no one with any sense wanted to see, regardless of their personal feelings towards the game itself.
Now, Absurd Marin’s director and co-founder Bret Robbins is likely to lead the studio, comprising approximately 20 developers from the core team behind Immortals of Aveum. This new venture will focus on crafting a “story-driven journey game”.
As it stands, the sport appears to be in its embryonic stages of development, lacking a formal name as a result. The venture is distinct from Absurd Ventures’ involvement in a particular sport, which draws inspiration from a realm known as A Higher Paradise – the same name featured in a 12-part audio series the company has been working on.
In May, some job listings may have offered a glimpse into what this mysterious game from the original Absurd studio might roughly resemble or entail, despite the company otherwise keeping it tightly under wraps until now.
While we may be in for a wait regarding further details, it’s reassuring to see some Immortals devs receiving an opportunity to work on something new after Ascendant laid off approximately 45% of its workforce last year following the underwhelming reception of its magic shooter, which one former Ascendant employee described as a product that failed to gain traction.
“Years have passed without witnessing a game as beleaguered as Immortals of Aveum,” Connor Makar’s review begins, “Conceived by Ascendant Studios, this title endeavors to harmoniously blend classic first-person shooter action with mesmerizing magical abilities.” A lackluster pitch that fails to ignite enthusiasm, despite its positive intent. Immortals of Aveum’s underwhelming experience coincides with the unfortunate timing of its release, as it emerges on the market alongside several groundbreaking titles that overshadow its mediocre efforts.
