FTS: Smilegate to Publish Absurd Ventures' AAA Open-World "A BETTER PARADISE" Game

 

Smilegate to Publish Absurd Ventures’ AAA Open-World Game Set in the A BETTER PARADISE Universe

 Smilegate expands partnership with former GTA creative director Dan Houser for global AAA publishing

New game set in A BETTER PARADISE universe in development, funded by Smilegate

August 6, 2025 – Smilegate today announced that it has signed an agreement with Dan Houser’s Absurd Ventures to globally publish the studio’s upcoming AAA, open-world, sci-fi action-adventure game, set in its mind-bending A BETTER PARADISE universe. The partnership follows Smilegate’s strategic investment in Absurd Ventures, announced last year.

A BETTER PARADISE is an expansive universe created by Absurd Ventures, the company founded by Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser, the former creative director and lead writer of the GRAND THEFT AUTO and RED DEAD REDEMPTION franchises, among others. Building on the studio’s talent for crafting incredible narrative worlds and characters, A BETTER PARADISE has already spawned a hit audio fiction series, A BETTER PARADISE Volume One: An Aftermath, which debuted at the top of Apple’s Fiction charts and won the 2024 Signal Award for Best Episode of Scripted Fiction. Absurd Ventures is also releasing a novelization of the first volume of A BETTER PARADISE’s story, due out in October 2025.

Currently in early development, the video game is being written and creative directed by Houser alongside his worldbuilding and creative team which includes longtime collaborators Lazlow, and Michael Unsworth. The game’s development at Absurd Ventures is being led by veteran studio head Greg Borrud who was previously General Manager of Niantic and co-founder of Pandemic Studios. Houser and Borrud have been building an elite team at Absurd Ventures studios and the A BETTER PARADISE game project boasts senior game development talent with previous experience from Bungie, Treyarch, Respawn, Insomniac, Riot, and more, with lead credits on best-in-class action and adventure games such as Call of Duty, Destiny 2, Valorant, Spider-Man 2, Hogwarts Legacy, and many others.

With a top-tier development team, Absurd is officially in development on this new AAA game, driven by an ambitious and exciting creative vision. The company expects Smilegate’s expertise and experience, as proven by its success in the global gaming industry, to bring strong synergy to their strategic publishing partnership. Following its equity investment in Absurd Ventures last year, Smilegate plans to make a full-scale investment, including development funding, into the A BETTER PARADISE project to help ensure its global success. 

Sung Joon-ho, CEO of Smilegate, said:

“We are thrilled to take on this new challenge in the global AAA game market alongside Dan Houser and Absurd. We are confident that the strong storytelling of the ABP universe combined with the development capabilities of the Absurd team will result in an outstanding title. We are a company with a developer-first DNA and truly understand what development studios need,” he emphasized. “Through our partnership with Absurd, we will fully support the A Better Paradise game project and do our utmost to help create a new title that will be loved by players around the world. Smilegate will leverage its extensive experience and success in global markets to ensure the ABP project becomes a beloved success worldwide.”

Dan Houser, founder of Absurd Ventures, stated:

“Absurd Ventures was set up to tell new and different kinds of stories, and to create what I hope are interesting and compelling original experiences. This new game is an opportunity to go somewhere entirely different and to take players on an entirely new adventure. I am excited to be going on this journey with the amazing team that we are building here at Absurd Ventures and am grateful that we are partnering with Smilegate who really understand and support our vision.”

Kwon Hyuk-bin, Chief Visionary Officer of Smilegate, added:

“Dan Houser and I have formed a deep friendship through our shared interest in games and the future, and I find it especially meaningful that we are now able to share our creative visions through this collaboration on the A Better Paradise project,” he stated. “We’re excited to present a title that reflects the vision we’ve often discussed—one that we hope will deeply resonate with gamers around the world.

Through this joint project, Smilegate aims to grow beyond Asia and become a major player in the global gaming industry.

Absurd Ventures was advised by Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks, P.C. and Fenwick & West LLP in connection with the transaction. Smilegate was advised by DLA Piper.

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New School Year Ice Breakers For Gamers

As the new school year approaches, it's important to help your children feel comfortable and confident as they enter a new environment. One of the best ways to break the ice and make new friends is to find common ground. While sports, music, and art are great options, don't overlook the power of gaming.

Gaming is a huge part of our culture, especially with the younger generations. Many students play video games, and it can be a great way to connect with others who share the same interests. Multiplayer games are particularly effective for icebreakers because they allow students to work together towards a common goal in a game they collectively enjoy or may desire to play.

We don't recommend taking your Switch to school, but the Tzowla Anti-Theft Backpack is a great way to protect it if you do.

There are many great multiplayer games suitable for children 10 and under. Here are the top 10 multiplayer games for this age group:

1. Minecraft: This sandbox game allows players to build and explore their own virtual world together.

2. Roblox: A popular platform where players can create and play games made by other users.

3. Among Us: A fun and engaging game of teamwork and deception.

4. Animal Crossing: New Horizons: In this game, players can create their own island and visit other players' islands.

5. Mario Kart 8 Deluxe: A classic racing game where players can compete against each other.

6. Splatoon 3: A colorful and fun shooter game where players compete in teams.

7. Super Smash Bros. Ultimate: A fighting game where players can choose their favorite Nintendo characters and battle against each other.

8. Rocket League: A fast-paced game of soccer with rocket-powered cars.

9. Overcooked 2: A cooperative game where players have to work together to cook meals in a chaotic kitchen.

10. Fortnite: A popular battle royale game where players can compete against each other to be the last player standing.

Here are 10 popular multiplayer games for students ages 16 and under:

1. Fortnite: A popular battle royale game where players compete against each other to be the last player standing.

2. Minecraft: This sandbox game allows players to build and explore their own virtual world together.

3. Overwatch 2: A team-based shooter game that emphasizes teamwork and strategy.

4. Rocket League: A fast-paced game of soccer with rocket-powered cars.

5. League of Legends: A popular multiplayer online battle arena (MOBA) game that emphasizes strategy and teamwork.

6. Rainbow Six Siege: A tactical shooter game where players must work together to complete objectives.

7. Apex Legends: A free-to-play battle royale game with unique characters and abilities.

8. Valorant: A team-based shooter game where players must work together to plant or defuse a bomb.

9. Among Us: A fun and engaging game of teamwork and deception.

10. Gunfire Reborn: A lighthearted yet challenging multiplayer shooting game.

Please note that these games have online interactions with strangers, so it's important to supervise children's gameplay and ensure that they are playing in safe and appropriate environments. Nintendo titles are fairly safe, and will usually prevent any inappropriate messaging from being shared. There are also private gaming servers for select games if you want to decrease the chances of your students interacting with unsavory characters, but if they game online already, just remind them to report abuse.

Multiplayer games are a fun and engaging way for students to work together and get to know each other better. They'd have something to talk about while at school, including multiplayer events and updates. This is also a great way to get them to finish their homework and chores as soon as possible to increase their game time with friends.

"I wanted to tuck this in, just as a reminder. While gaming can be a great ice breaker, it's a good idea for them to keep kindness and consideration in mind. Encourage your children to be as respectful and accepting of other students of different cultures... just as much as they'd like to be accepted (live and let live). Everything certainly doesn't have to be accepted, but differences aren't the same as unacceptable behaviors like bullying other students.

Believe it or not, common-ground hobbies like... gaming, could actually decrease things like bullying if certain students desire to take part in a collective activity (and don't want to miss out on the fun). There are students who would seek to flip this though and get pretty good students to break bad for the sake of joining in on their fun, but... it's not worth it. There should be other students available to game with, even if it means connecting with other parents in your area or perhaps an online group... and your children connect via online games." -  Blu 

Here are 5 additional icebreakers that teachers and students can use for the new school year:

1. Two Truths and a Lie: Each student takes a turn introducing themselves and telling the group three statements about themselves - two true and one a lie. The group then has to guess which statement is the lie.

2. The Name Game: Students introduce themselves and choose an adjective that starts with the same letter as their name. For example, "I'm Funny Fiona." Then, the next student repeats the previous name and adds their own, like "Funny Fiona and Super Sam."

3. Find Someone Who: Each student gets a sheet with a list of characteristics or experiences, such as "Find someone who has a pet" or "Find someone who has traveled outside of the country." They then have to walk around and find someone who fits each characteristic.

4. Human Knot: Students form a circle and take hands with two different people across the circle. They then have to work together to untangle themselves without letting go of each other's hands.

5. Scavenger Hunt: Give students a list of items to find or tasks to complete around the classroom or school in a set time. For example, "Find a book with a red cover" or "Take a selfie with the principal."

These icebreaker activities are fun and engaging ways to help students get to know each other and build connections as they start the new school year. Teachers will often have an activity prepared for the entire class to break the ice. As long as students participate, it increases the chance of them breaking the ice and warming up quickly. Adding a timer will introduce a challenge that gamers will love.

In conclusion, the new school year can be an exciting yet nerve-wracking time for students. Using gaming as an icebreaker for individual connections can be a great way to help your children feel more comfortable and confident in their new environment. With options like "Among Us" and "Splatoon," students can work together towards a common goal and build lasting friendships. Just remember to keep kindness and consideration at the forefront of all interactions.

Sophima | Guest Contributor

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FTS: Valorant Champions Tour kicks off in the Philippines!

Riot Games officially launches VCT Pacific 2023, holds kickoff night 

in the Philippines

20 March 2023, Philippines - Riot Games has officially launched the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) Pacific League 2023 with a kickoff event at The Podium Hall, Mandaluyong City, Philippines.

Riot Games is launching the VALORANT Champions Tour (VCT) Pacific League 2023 with a kickoff event in the Philippines!

This new competitive league will start on March 25 and run until May 28, 2023 in Seoul, South Korea.

Riot Games is committed to creating hyper-local experiences in the region, tailored to meet the needs of their passionate VALORANT players.

The Filipino community is one of the biggest and most passionate VALORANT communities in the region. The start of this new competitive league in the Philippines is a natural step for our continued expansion in APAC.

The VCT Pacific tournament promises to be a thrilling event as fans express their warm support to the Philippines squad, Team Secret.

Team Secret proved to be the one to look out for after they displayed a monumental upset against Netherland's Team Liquid, 2-0, in the VCT LOCK//IN tournament in Sao Paulo, Brazil last February.

Other teams competing for the first-ever VCT Pacific title and prize pool of USD 250,000 include Indonesian squad Rex Regum Qeon, with two Pinoys in their roster, DetonatioN FocusMe, DRX, Gen.G, Global Esports, RRQ, T1, Talon eSports, and Zeta Division!

I've never played in a tournament, but I think I'd get my butt kicked if I were to even attempt being in one. I would love to be there to watch from the stands and see what those skills do with the crew!

Watch more @ https://valorantesports.com/watch

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