Smilegate Partners with Absurd Ventures on New IP

Smilegate, the South Korean developer known for titles like Lost Ark and Crossfire, has made a strategic investment in Absurd Ventures, a studio founded by Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser. This partnership aims to leverage each company's strengths to create new intellectual properties and explore sustainable business opportunities in the gaming market. Houser expressed enthusiasm about collaborating with Smilegate's founder Hyuk-bin Kwon, highlighting a mutual respect and shared passion for developing AAA games. Smilegate CEO Joonho Sung emphasized that this collaboration marks a significant step towards the company’s goal of becoming a global IP powerhouse. Absurd Ventures is currently focused on a new open-world action-adventure game, but it's unclear how this investment will impact its development. The partnership represents a melding of Western and Asian gaming expertise, potentially paving the way for innovative player experiences.