Update (9/16/24): Following the Absurd Ventures announcement, Robbins explained that Ascendant will be “going quiet” as Absurd Marin starts on its new project.
“I’m thrilled to bring our team’s experience and expertise to a new game and exciting new company,” he wrote.
While his statement is vague on Ascendant’s future, Robbins said he felt “incredibly lucky” to lead his first studio and release Immortals of Aveum. “To anyone who supported Ascendant and the game,” he continued, “I can’t thank you enough.”
“Now we move forward into our next chapter. […] It’s been an amazing ride, and now the ride continues!”
Original story: Dan Houser’s Absurd Ventures has launched its first spinoff studio.
Based in San Rafael, California, the Absurd Marin team is comprised of several former staffers from Ascendant Studios, creators of 2023’s Immortals of Aveum. Fittingly, that includes former Ascendant CEO Bret Robbins.
Per Houser, the new studio is working on a story-based original title. This project is based on a third, unannounced Absurd property, and marks Absurd’s second game alongside one based on its transmedia property, A Better Paradise.
“We love the focus on storytelling and world building at Absurd Ventures,” wrote Robbins. “We’re thrilled to team up and bring our combined expertise to work on an original game set in an incredibly fun new universe.”
Who is Ascendant Studios?
The saga of Bret Robbins and Ascendant was a twisty one in 2023. Immortals of Aveum was the studio’s debut project, and not long after the magical shooter’s launch, half of the team was laid off.
Earlier this year, Robbins admitted several factors may have hampered the title, including its price point. Despite those challenges, he also revealed sales saw a “huge uptick” thanks to price cuts and word of mouth, opening the door for potential business deals.
Even so, the studio furloughed most of its remaining staff in April. EA reportedly provided a lifeline in May by diverting all Aveum sales revenue to Ascendant, whose status as a developer is currently unclear.
Prior to Aveum’s release last year, Game Developer spoke with Robbins about making a magical first-person shooter and building a motion capture-heavy game during a pandemic.