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- 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
SANTA MONICA, Calif. and SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.
Further details, including the development schedule and platforms, will be announced at a later date. To learn more about the A BETTER PARADISE universe, visit the official website, and follow along with the latest updates on X, Instagram, Bluesky, YouTube, Threads, Facebook, and TikTok.
About Smilegate
Smilegate is a global game development and publishing company headquartered in South Korea with regional offices in the United States, China, and Japan. Its flagship franchise 'CROSSFIRE' is one of the largest and most successful franchises in gaming history. It has more than 1 billion registered users to date in PC and mobile platforms and over 8 million concurrent players globally. Its latest project, 'Lost Ark,' is an MMORPG that was released in South Korea in 2018 and was launched in North America and Europe in February 2021. Lost Ark recorded the number for concurrent players on Steam with over 1.32M. Learn more by visiting Smilegate.com.
About Absurd Ventures
Absurd Ventures is a storytelling-driven entertainment company creating original video games, live-action and animated film and television, audio fiction, books, comic books, and more. The company was founded by Dan Houser, who was previously co-founder of Rockstar Games, and the lead creative force behind some of the most successful entertainment properties in history. Absurd Ventures' original IP, created by Houser, includes sci-fi-thriller universe A Better Paradise, crime-fiction universe American Caper, and comedy-satire universe Absurdaverse. Its debut project, an audio fiction series set in the A Better Paradise world, debuted as the #1 fiction podcast on Apple. In 2025, Absurd Ventures will release an American Caper comic book series, an A Better Paradise novel, Absurdaverse animation projects, and more. Absurd Ventures is headquartered in Santa Monica, with additional studio offices in Marin, California. Storytelling. Philanthropy. Ultraviolence.
- 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
SANTA MONICA, Calif. and SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.
Further details, including the development schedule and platforms, will be announced at a later date. To learn more about the A BETTER PARADISE universe, visit the official website, and follow along with the latest updates on X, Instagram, Bluesky, YouTube, Threads, Facebook, and TikTok.
About Smilegate
Smilegate is a global game development and publishing company headquartered in South Korea with regional offices in the United States, China, and Japan. Its flagship franchise 'CROSSFIRE' is one of the largest and most successful franchises in gaming history. It has more than 1 billion registered users to date in PC and mobile platforms and over 8 million concurrent players globally. Its latest project, 'Lost Ark,' is an MMORPG that was released in South Korea in 2018 and was launched in North America and Europe in February 2021. Lost Ark recorded the number for concurrent players on Steam with over 1.32M. Learn more by visiting Smilegate.com.
About Absurd Ventures
Absurd Ventures is a storytelling-driven entertainment company creating original video games, live-action and animated film and television, audio fiction, books, comic books, and more. The company was founded by Dan Houser, who was previously co-founder of Rockstar Games, and the lead creative force behind some of the most successful entertainment properties in history. Absurd Ventures' original IP, created by Houser, includes sci-fi-thriller universe A Better Paradise, crime-fiction universe American Caper, and comedy-satire universe Absurdaverse. Its debut project, an audio fiction series set in the A Better Paradise world, debuted as the #1 fiction podcast on Apple. In 2025, Absurd Ventures will release an American Caper comic book series, an A Better Paradise novel, Absurdaverse animation projects, and more. Absurd Ventures is headquartered in Santa Monica, with additional studio offices in Marin, California. Storytelling. Philanthropy. Ultraviolence.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Smilegate to Publish Absurd Ventures' AAA Open-World Game Set in the A BETTER PARADISE Universe
Upcoming openings include hotels, resorts, and residences—spanning Greece, Italy, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, and the United States— underscoring the Group's commitment to global, quality‑driven expansion.
HONG KONG, Dec. 19, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Rosewood Hotel Group ("the Group") today announces continued expansion of its global development pipeline with the on-schedule opening of Rosewood Courchevel Le Jardin Alpin, the Group's first ski resort. A landmark debut for the brand, the new alpine retreat marks Rosewood's entry into a new sector and reinforces the Group's presence across some of the world's most sought after destinations and high-growth markets.
This debut follows seven on-track openings in 2025, including the milestone launch of Rosewood's first standalone residential property available for exclusive sale, Rosewood Residences Beverly Hills in the United States, reaffirming the Group's expansion into the luxury residential category and its strategic focus to redefine private branded residences by creating neighborhood landmarks that appreciate in both emotional and financial value. Together with the forthcoming launch of Rosewood AMAALA in Saudi Arabia, set to bring an ultra-luxury regenerative escape to the Red Sea region. These additions underscore the Group's commitment to quality‑driven expansion and elevating operational excellence across its global portfolio.
Sonia Cheng, Chief Executive Officer of Rosewood Hotel Group, said: "Rosewood Courchevel Le Jardin Alpin, our first ski resort, is a milestone that reflects our long‑term commitment to thoughtfully expanding our global portfolio and our ability to enter new, experience-driven sectors."
"We are guided by a clear ambition: to grow with purpose, to create enduring value, and to deliver transformative experiences that resonate with our communities. As we bring our brands to the world's most extraordinary destinations, our vision and commitment remain focused on quality, innovation, and the sustainable success of our global business. I am grateful for the ongoing support and trust from our associates, guests, and partners."
Strategic Expansion in 2025
The opening of Rosewood Courchevel Le Jardin Alpin brings the total number of openings for Rosewood Hotel Group in 2025 to eight across three continents – comprising seven properties under Rosewood, including a standalone Rosewood Residences, and New World Jinzhou Hotel.
Nestled in the exclusive village of Courchevel 1850, Rosewood Courchevel Le Jardin Alpin brings the brand's signature refined, residential‑style luxury to one of the world's most celebrated ski destinations. Anchoring the resort's connection to art and place, the lobby features an installation by renowned artist Olafur Eliasson - two crystalline structures suspended within mirrored walls and ceilings, creating the illusion of infinite, snowflake-inspired forms. The resort also offers luxury accommodations, elevated dining concepts, curated wellness experiences, and direct ski‑in/ski‑out access, providing guests with an intimate retreat that celebrates the distinct character and natural beauty of the French Alps.
From the French Alps to the dramatic sand dunes surrounding Qatar's cityscape lies Rosewood Doha's coral-inspired mashrabiya, to revitalizing heritage sites such as Rosewood Amsterdam and The Chancery Rosewood – the new era of Rosewood is one defined by catalyzing the future of place. This vision extends across a diverse portfolio of iconic openings in 2025: the lush coastal retreat of Rosewood Mandarina in Mexico, the idyllic Rosewood Miyakojima in Japan, the sophisticated Rosewood Residence in Beverly Hills, and the contemporary New World Jinzhou Hotel in China's vibrant port city. See Editor's Note for the full list of properties.
Expanding with Purpose Across New Destinations
Rosewood's upcoming openings further demonstrate the Group's thoughtful approach to development, with each property designed to deliver a deeper connection to each place and community. Some anticipated openings include:
- Rosewood AMAALA — An ultra‑luxury regenerative retreat on Saudi Arabia's Red Sea coast, set between the world's fourth‑largest barrier reef and the scenic Hijazi mountains, designed to harmonise wellness, sustainability, and the surrounding natural landscape.
- Rosewood Red Sea — Located along Saudi Arabia's west coast on the Shura Island, the property will be part of The Red Sea destination. Poised to be one of Saudi Arabia's top cultural and lifestyle hubs, the development is comprised of a stunning marina offering a yacht club, commercial retail and dining options, as well as an 18-hole championship golf course.
- Rosewood Blue Palaceand Rosewood Residence Crete — Rosewood's entrance into Greece. A coastal retreat woven seamlessly into the island's landscape, honouring Crete's rich cultural heritage.
- Rosewood Rome — Located in the former headquarters of Italy's Banca Nazionale del Lavoro (BNL), an urban retreat spanning three historic early‑1900s buildings on Via Veneto, blending timeless Roman elegance with contemporary design, complete with a rooftop Asaya Spa, modern Roman Bathhouse, and sweeping city views.
- Rosewood Calistoga and Rosewood Residences Calistoga — A contemporary hillside estate where forest, vine, and sky converge, inviting guests into a modern yet soulful sanctuary rooted in terroir, togetherness, and the quiet magic of Napa's natural rhythm.
- Rosewood Dubai and Rosewood Residences Dubai — Set on the shores of Peninsula Dubai, an upcoming landmark destination within the city's most prestigious waterfront district.
- Rosewood Residences Turtle Creek — Honouring the legacy of the Rosewood Mansion on Turtle Creek in Dallas, this landmark collection of residences sets a new standard for high-rise living in one of the country's most coveted communities.
- Rosewood Residences Lido Key — Situated along one of the country's most beautiful beaches, the elegant residences are set among pristine white sands and overlook the Gulf of Mexico.
Strengthening Presence in the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC)
The forthcoming opening of Rosewood AMAALA builds on the Group's expanding presence in the GCC, joining Rosewood Doha, Rosewood Abu Dhabi, and the upcoming Rosewood Dubai. As one of the region's most anticipated ultra‑luxury developments, Rosewood AMAALA reinforces the Group's commitment to entering experience‑rich markets and shaping the next generation of transformative travel.
Each destination has been carefully selected for its exceptional market potential and cultural significance, showcasing the Group's commitment to meeting evolving traveller desires for new destinations, cultural immersion, and luxury hospitality.
Editor's Note:
Property openings in 2025:
Property photos are available for download here.
About Rosewood Hotel Group
Rosewood Hotel Group, privately owned by Chow Tai Fook Enterprises, is one of the world's leading global lifestyle and hospitality management groups. It encompasses four brands: ultra-luxury Rosewood; upper-upscale New World Hotels & Resorts; Asaya, an integrated well-being concept; and Carlyle & Co., a modern and progressive private members club. Its combined hotel portfolio consists of 59 properties in 26 countries with more than 30 new properties currently under development. For more information, visit rosewoodhotelgroup.com.
** The press release content is from PR Newswire. Bastille Post is not involved in its creation. **
Rosewood Hotel Group Accelerates Global Expansion with On-Track 2025 Openings; Entering New Sector with Its First-Ever Ski Resort
