Immortals of Aveum Developer Ascendant Studios Faces Challenges
Following a difficult year for Immortals of Aveum developer Ascendant Studios, a “core team” of around 20 employees has now joined Rockstar co-founder Dan Houser’s Absurd Ventures, forming a new studio called Absurd Marin.
The Journey of Immortals of Aveum
Immortals of Aveum, described as a “single-player first-person magic shooter”, received mixed reviews upon its launch last August, leading to limited commercial success. In response, Ascendant Studios had to make the tough call and lay off 45% of its staff, which amounted to approximately 40 employees a month later.
Unfortunately, the challenges persisted as a significant portion of the remaining team was furloughed earlier this year, casting uncertainty over Ascendant’s future. However, Absurd Ventures under Dan Houser’s leadership stepped in and welcomed a core team of 20 former Ascendant employees to establish Absurd Marin.
Enter Absurd Marin
Based in San Rafael, California, Absurd Marin is spearheaded by Bret Robbins, the founder and game director of Ascendant Studios. The team is poised to grow as they continue developing a new game that promises to be a “story-driven action-adventure title set in another unannounced Absurd universe.”
Expanding Horizons with Absurd Ventures
Absurd Ventures introduced two distinct universes, American Caper and A Better Paradise, serving as the foundation for various transmedia projects. These include a graphic novel and a podcast with a video game project underway, aiming to deliver top-notch combat and action gameplay across multiple modes. The specifics of this venture remain undisclosed, leaving room for speculation on its connection to Absurd Marin.
Uncertain Future for Ascendant Studios
Despite no formal announcement regarding Ascendant Studios’ closure, the departure of its founder and a significant portion of its team raise doubts about its future. With limited resources and a dwindling staff, the studio’s prospects appear grim.
FAQs
Q: What led to Ascendant Studios’ challenges?
A: Ascendant Studios faced hurdles due to limited commercial success of Immortals of Aveum and subsequent layoffs.
Q: What is the focus of Absurd Marin’s new game?
A: Absurd Marin is working on a story-driven action-adventure title set in an undisclosed Absurd universe.
Q: How is Absurd Ventures expanding its projects?
A: Absurd Ventures is venturing into various transmedia projects with graphic novels, podcasts, and an upcoming video game.
Q: What is the current status of Ascendant Studios?
A: Ascendant Studios’ future remains uncertain following key departures and challenges in the recent past.
Credit: www.eurogamer.net
