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Dan Houser’s announced post-Rockstar game is a separate project: an open-world science-fiction action-adventure set in Absurd Ventures’ A Better Paradise universe. Houser is writing and creative-directing it, with Smilegate announced as its global publisher. He has said he did not write Grand Theft Auto VI or develop its character set. The two games should be treated as distinct projects, not as a Houser-led GTA sequel and its alternative.
What game is Dan Houser making after Rockstar?
Houser’s best-confirmed game project is in development at Absurd Ventures, the storytelling company he founded. Smilegate’s August 6, 2025 announcement describes it as an AAA, open-world science-fiction action-adventure in the A Better Paradise universe. Houser is writing and creative-directing alongside the development team, and Smilegate announced it would publish the game globally. Smilegate’s announcement is the clearest source for those production details.
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The announcement described the game as being in early development at that time. It did not announce a distinct game title, platforms, or a release schedule. Absurd Ventures’ official A Better Paradise page also lists the video game as in development, but does not supply those missing details. Players therefore have a genre, setting, and creative-role description—not a basis for predicting how the finished game will play or when it will arrive.
What “A Better Paradise” means
A Better Paradise is one of several original Absurd Ventures universes, and the game is one part of a broader storytelling setting. The official page also describes audio fiction, a novel, and a forthcoming television series. Those formats establish a transmedia universe; they are not additional announced games.
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- This product contains a download code inside the box — no disc is included. Customer shipments will begin arriving November 12 for pre-load; game is playable starting November 19.
- Pre-order to receive the Vintage Vice City Pack.
- Grand Theft Auto VI is a single-player experience.
Absurd Ventures’ other confirmed work helps show the range of the company, but should not be mistaken for a game slate. Its official American Caper page describes a crime comic created and written by Houser, with a 12-issue first season and collected paperback editions. The company also identifies Absurdaverse as a comedy-satire universe. None of those facts amounts to an announcement of another game.
Is Dan Houser involved in GTA VI?
Houser said he did not write GTA VI and did not develop its character set. In an IGN interview reported by PC Gamer on September 29, 2025, he said it would be a new story and added that he expected the game to be exciting. That positive comment is Houser’s view, not an independent assessment or a claim that he contributed to development.
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His statement draws a clear line between his Absurd Ventures work and Rockstar’s next Grand Theft Auto. It does not establish that the games share writers, characters, production teams, or a creative direction. Players should not infer involvement from Houser’s history at Rockstar.
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GTA VI is a Rockstar project with a separate story and setting. Rockstar’s official game page introduces Jason and Lucia and a criminal conspiracy in Leonida, with Vice City among the locations shown. The page includes trailers and an extended look; features not shown or stated there should not be treated as confirmed mechanics.
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- Rule the city streets in a thrilling open-world crime adventure.
- Drive luxury cars, bikes, and police vehicles in epic missions.
- Fight gang wars, escape police chases, and dominate turf battles.
- Explore a massive urban map packed with action and secrets.
- Play offline anytime — no internet required for crime fun!
As of October 4, 2026, Take-Two’s Fiscal First Quarter 2027 lineup lists GTA VI for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S, with a November 19, 2026 release date. That is the company’s current announced plan, not a guarantee that the schedule cannot change.
How the announced projects compare
| What is known | Absurd Ventures: A Better Paradise game | Rockstar: GTA VI |
|---|---|---|
| Description | AAA, open-world science-fiction action-adventure, per Smilegate’s August 6, 2025 announcement | Jason and Lucia in a criminal conspiracy in Leonida; Vice City is featured, per Rockstar’s game page |
| Dan Houser’s role | Announced as writer and creative director | Houser says he did not write the game or develop its character set |
| Company and publisher | Developed at Absurd Ventures; Smilegate announced global publishing | Rockstar Games; Take-Two lists the release in its company lineup |
| Platforms | Not announced in the cited game announcement | PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in Take-Two’s current lineup |
| Timing | Schedule not announced in the cited game announcement | November 19, 2026 in Take-Two’s current lineup, as of October 4, 2026 |
| Reasonable expectation | A distinct new science-fiction universe and game, with launch details still unknown | A new Rockstar Grand Theft Auto story and setting, separate from Houser’s authorship |
What players can—and cannot—reasonably expect
- Expect a different setting and genre. The announced Absurd Ventures game is science fiction; Rockstar’s official material places GTA VI in Leonida and features Vice City.
- Expect Houser’s stated role to be limited to his new project. He is announced as writer and creative director of the A Better Paradise game, while his own remarks rule out his authorship of GTA VI.
- Do not assume a launch window, platform, or gameplay details for A Better Paradise. The cited game announcement did not provide them.
- Do not treat a creative intention or a company genre label as proof of quality. Houser said the new game would take players somewhere different; that expresses intent, not a playable feature or a review verdict. There is no evidence here to rank either unreleased game’s quality.
For readers who want to explore Houser’s post-Rockstar work before the game has more announced details, American Caper Volume 1: Red-Pilled Blues is a comic collection, not a game. Absurd Ventures’ series page lists its collected editions.
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