Changes at Ascendant Studios
After facing challenges in the past year, Ascendant Studios, the developer behind Immortals of Aveum, has seen a significant transition. A group of approximately 20 employees from the core team has made a move to Absurd Ventures, founded by Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser. This shift has led to the formation of a new studio called Absurd Marin.
Immortals of Aveum, described as a “single-player first-person magic shooter,” received a lukewarm reception upon its release last August and did not perform well commercially. Subsequently, Ascendant Studios had to make the tough call to reduce its staff by 45%, amounting to around 40 employees.
The situation did not improve, with reports earlier this year indicating that a considerable portion of the remaining team had been placed on furlough, casting doubt on the future of Ascendant Studios. However, Absurd Ventures, under Dan Houser’s guidance, has stepped in to support the studio by incorporating a core team of about 20 former employees into a new development entity named Absurd Marin.
Focus on Absurd Marin
Located in San Rafael, California, Absurd Marin will be spearheaded by Bret Robbins, the founder and game director of Ascendant Studios. The team is expected to grow as they work on a new game, described as a “story-driven action-adventure title set in another undisclosed Absurd universe.”
Absurd Ventures has previously unveiled two universes – American Caper and A Better Paradise – which are meant to serve as the foundation for various transmedia projects, including a graphic novel and podcast. Alongside these initiatives, Absurd Ventures is also delving into video game development. While details are scarce, a job listing hinted at an “open-world action-adventure” project with a focus on top-tier combat and third-person action modes. It remains unknown if this project aligns with the one taken up by Absurd Marin.
Future of Ascendant Studios
Despite the lack of an official announcement regarding its closure, Ascendant Studios’ future appears uncertain following the departure of its founder and 20 team members. With a significantly reduced workforce, the studio’s prospects may be limited moving forward.