The Xbox Series X|S version of Ship Graveyard Simulator 2 is getting two new DLCs: Steel Giants and Submarines. Both paid expansions for the popular shipbreaking simulator will be available starting August 7. The Steel Giants DLC introduces four massive vessels, while the Submarines DLC adds unique underwater challenges.

Originally developed by Polish studio Games Incubator, Ship Graveyard Simulator 2 was first released on PC and later brought to Xbox Series X|S, PlayStation 5, and Nintendo Switch. The game currently holds a 78% positive rating on Steam from over 2,800 reviews. Console publishing is handled by Ultimate Games S.A.

The Xbox Series X|S version already includes the Warships DLC with massive military vessels. As of August 7, players on Xbox will also be able to dive into the Steel Giants and Submarines DLCs.

Steel Giants DLC

The Steel Giants DLC adds four massive wrecks to dismantle, including a huge container ship, oil tanker, gas carrier, and nuclear icebreaker. It also brings new contracts, achievements, and hidden treasures.

Each steel giant presents new challenges. One key addition is the introduction of steam pipes that block access. To progress, players will need to carefully plan how to cut off the steam supply.

Steel Giants DLC – Store – https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/store/ship-graveyard-simulator-2-steel-giants-dlc/9mvkjjjhfn7l

Submarines DLC

The Submarines DLC introduces entirely new gameplay based around unique submarines. It includes new achievements, collectible items, and mechanics tied to radioactive materials.

Due to their structure, submarines require a different approach than traditional ships. Hull openings allow entry from multiple sides, and getting out often requires removing floors, walls, and internal connectors.

Submarines DLC – Store – https://www.xbox.com/en-US/games/store/ship-graveyard-simulator-2-submarines-dlc/9p7f87pch6xv

Key Features of Ship Graveyard Simulator 2:

• Dismantle massive shipwrecks
• Cut, destroy, and weld
• Explore oceanic giants
• Trade in parts and raw materials
• Experience one of the world’s most dangerous jobs

Steel Giants DLC and Submarines DLC launch on Xbox Series X|S on August 7, 2025.

Upcoming Multi-Platform Action RPG to Offer Hands-on Gaming Experience Featuring Samsung’s Latest Tech Innovations

LOS ANGELES – AUGUST 6, 2025 – Netmarble, a leading developer and publisher of high-quality games, will exhibit its upcoming multi-platform title MONGIL: STAR DIVE at gamescom 2025 as part of the company’s presence at the show. Attendees will experience hands-on demos powered by Samsung Electronics’ latest Odyssey 3D gaming monitor and Galaxy Z Fold7. Recognized as one of the world’s largest gaming conventions, the event will take place from August 20 to 24 in Cologne, Germany.

At Samsung’s B2C booth on the show floor, MONGIL: STAR DIVE’s hands-on demo experience will feature Samsung’s “Odyssey 3D,” a new, glasses-free 3D gaming monitor that equips Eye Tracking and View Mapping technologies to offer tailored 3D interactions. The booth will be designed to fully optimize the gameplay experience, allowing visitors to enjoy high-quality cinematic cutscenes and dynamic combat action built on Unreal Engine 5.

Additionally, MONGIL: STAR DIVE will be featured at “The World of #PlayGalaxy.” This is Samsung’s exclusive user experience event that will be held from August 22 -23 at Dock2 in Cologne. Players will be fully immersed in the demo on the new Galaxy Z Fold7 that was recently unveiled at the Galaxy Unpacked 2025 event. With its ultra-thin and light design and wider cover display, Galaxy Z Fold7 delivers an immersive gaming experience—especially when paired with MONGIL: STAR DIVE, optimized specifically for the device.

Visitors will also be eligible to receive exclusive MONGIL: STAR DIVE merchandise, including key chains featuring mascot “Nyanners.” A shuttle bus service will be available to conveniently transport attendees between gamescom’s Koelnmesse venue and the Dock2 event site.

Developed by Netmarble Monster, MONGIL: STAR DIVE is the long-awaited sequel to the beloved 2013 mobile RPG Monster Taming and is slated for release in the second half of 2025. For more information, visit the game’s official website.

About Netmarble Corporation

Founded in Korea in 2000, Netmarble Corporation is a leading global game developer and publisher. Through acclaimed franchises and strategic partnerships with top-tier IP holders, the company delivers innovative and engaging gaming experiences to audiences worldwide. As a parent company of Kabam, SpinX Games, Jam City, and a major shareholder of HYBE and NCSOFT, Netmarble’s diverse portfolio includes Solo Leveling:ARISE, Seven Knights Idle Adventure, Tower of God: New World, Lineage 2: Revolution, MARVEL Future Fight, Ni no Kuni: Cross Worlds and The Seven Deadly Sins: Grand Cross. More information can be found at http://company.netmarble.com.

Noble Legacy, the third-person medieval city builder will launch into Steam Early Access on August 12, 2025. Developed by award winning developer Studio 369, players will take on the role of a returning war hero reclaiming their ancestral lands of Greenwood that have suffered from poor leadership and improper governance. Rebuild your settlement, manage resources and grow the economy of your village to attract new recruits and manage their unique skills for the greater good of your realm. In Noble Legacy, minimal combat threats allow players to build homes, manage town infrastructure, and form strong relationships with villagers in their thriving community.

Noble Legacy is a third-person medieval sandbox city-builder that blends immersive character control, in-depth town building, and relationship mzanagement. Returning from war as a hero, you claim your ancestral lands of Greenwood only to discover it on the verge of ruin. Design and build your settlement to attract new people to recruit and manage the growing population of your village. Walk amongst the people in your town to hear their stories, learn their personalities, and manage their unique skills for the greater good of your realm. Zoom out of third person perspective for a birdseye view to survey new areas to create roadways, plan farming plots, and build new structures. Optimize production chains, establish market stalls for trading, and grow your economy from humble hamlet to flourishing kingdom. Reclaim the land, guide your people, and let your legacy be written by your hand. 

Developed by the award-winning team at Studio 369, Noble Legacy will launch on August 12 on Steam. For more information, visit the official website, NobleLegacy.com.

Guide helpless ships through the all-consuming abyss – or be lost to the encroaching darkness!

NICOSIA, Cyprus – Aug. 6, 2025 –Indie game publisher Polden and developer solarsuit.games is thrilled to launch Static Dread: The Lighthouseon Steam today! This dark horror sim inspired by both Papers, Please and the unknowable terrors of H.P. Lovecraft combines lighthouse-keeping gameplay with survival horror elements and atmosphere, plus multiple endings to discover. Watch today’s new cinematic launch trailer to prepare yourself for your time at the lighthouse!

Static Dread: The Lighthouse combines ancient Eldritch horrors with the eagle-eyed observation of Papers, Please. As a lone lighthouse keeper, it’s up to you to maintain the beacon of an ancient lighthouse after calamity has befallen the world. But beware…mariners report encounters with creatures beyond the reach of science, and ships have been drifting back from distant waters completely empty, their crews vanished without a trace…

As your duties grow more perilous with each night, the fate of the nearby town and passing vessels are in your hands. Meet a variety of strange characters and make difficult choices that will determine their fortune. Survive Lovecraftian terrors, use your radio to guide the ships entrusted to you through the abyss, and don’t let the shadows consume you.

Static Dread: The Lighthouse is available on Steam today for $9.74 with a 25% discount until August 20 (Standard price $12.99).

To learn more about Polden and the games in their publishing line-up, visit polden.gg, or join their Discord community.

About solarsuit.games

A small indie team creating narrative-driven games. Currently, the studio is focused on a franchise set in the Lovecraftian universe — Static Dread. The team plans to experiment with different genres and explore psychological horror.
https://solarsuit.games/

About Polden

Polden Publishing is an indie game publisher dedicated to helping talented creators connect with their audience. We provide transparent, honest, and data-driven support, empowering developers to bring their unique visions to life. To find out more, visit polden.gg.

LOS ANGELES – Aug. 6, 2025 – Sensei! I Like You So Much!, the fandom business simulator from developer LaaO Studios and publisher Infini Fun, drafts the next chapter with its 1.0 launch today on PC via Steam.

Draft the next big fantasy epic, heartwarming school romance, and other stories as a budding fan fiction author. Gather inspiration for each story by venturing into the outside world, then head home to plant pivotal plot branches to see how the narrative grows. Further grasp popular trends by accepting commission requests from fans to delve deeper into multiple genres. 

Design the next fandom obsession from the ground up, adorned with bat wings, fancy ties, and purple hair, among many customization options. Turn the main character into stickers, photo cards, and other merch to display and exchange. Sell merch, setup a booth, and meet fans IRL in the largest comic convention of the year. 

Keep the story going past the last chapter with new 1.0 features. Raise a virtual pet, win free merch in gacha claw machines, and build a Seaside Atelier to create exclusive merch. Travel the world with more locations for the main character to explore, new characters to connect with, and printing in-game merch to display in the real world. 

“Fandoms have not only inspired my interests, but how I connect with people,” said Nancy, Producer, LaaO Studios. “With Sensei! I Like You So Much! in 1.0, we can only imagine the stories every budding fanfic writer will create.”

Sensei! I Like You So Much! creates a fandom empire with its 1.0 launch today on PC via Steam. Follow the official X and Bluesky accounts, and join the Discord server for the latest updates.

About LaaO Studios

Based in China, Laao Studios is an independent game development company with a knack for 2D simulators. After releasing over 12 web-based titles, the team is hard at work on the 1.0 version of their fandom simulator Sensei! I Like You So Much!

About Infini Fun

Founded in 2024, Infini Fun is a new publisher with a combined 15 years of games industry experience. With expertise across funding, technical support, and design, their dedicated team aims to create a portfolio of high quality titles across PC and console platforms.

New initiative provides hands-on guidance, expert mentorship, and marketing support for successful developers expanding to mobile platforms.

LOS ANGELES – August 6, 2025 – The International Game Developers Association (IGDA), Women in Games International (WIGI), and The International Game Developers Association Foundation (IGDA Foundation) are proud to announce the launch of Port Quest – a collaborative initiative designed to help developers successfully bring their games to mobile platforms and reach new global audiences. 

Port Quest offers a comprehensive support system for development teams navigating the mobile porting process. Through a combination of mentorship, technical guidance, and promotional opportunities, the program helps teams take the next strategic step in expanding their game’s reach.

“We are eager to support game developers through the porting process, helping them tap into an ever-growing market,” said Alyssa Walles, Executive Director of the IGDA Foundation. “With the guidance of industry professionals and our collective marketing reach, we’re confident that Port Quest can lead development teams to the next step in their games’ journey.”

Selected participants will receive: 

• Personalized mentorship from experienced mobile porting professionals 
• Dedicated office hours and hands-on workshops tailored to their development needs 
• Access to a private Discord server for peer support and networking 
• Inclusion in a global marketing campaign and showcase projected to reach over 100,000 players

Teams accepted into the Port Quest program benefit from mentorship and dedicated office hours from veteran industry experts. Participants receive an invitation to a private Discord to connect with industry peers and access hands-on workshops. The program also provides inclusion into Port Quest’s global marketing campaign and showcase, reaching an estimated 100,000 players.

“Port Quest equips developers with the mentorship, technical insights, and global reach needed to move their games into the mobile market,” added Joanie Kraut, CEO of WIGI. “We’re excited to partner on this initiative to help teams elevate their projects and reach new audiences.”

Eligibility & Application Details 

Game developers can apply online now through Monday, September 15, 2025. Priority consideration and additional opportunities will be available to those who submit their applications by Friday, August 18, 2025. To qualify for Port Quest, titles must not yet be available on mobile devices and have earned $10,000/month or more for the past six consecutive months.

Upcoming Events at devcom and gamescom

Learn more about Port Quest during the panel discussion, “Porting to Android—Best Practices for Indies”, on Tuesday, August 19. Then, connect with fellow developers, mentors, and program partners at the Port Quest Community Mixer on Wednesday, August 20 from 5:00 PM to 7:00 PM in Hall 3.2, Booth D-051 to D-055.

To learn more about Port Quest and how to apply, visit https://www.igdafoundation.org/portquest

About the International Game Developers Association (IGDA)

The IGDA is the largest nonprofit membership organization serving individuals who create games. With thousands of members worldwide, the IGDA supports game developers in achieving fulfilling and sustainable careers through advocacy, professional development, and networking. For more information, visit https://igda.org

About the IGDA Foundation

The International Game Developers Association Foundation (IGDA-F) is dedicated to advancing inclusivity and diversity in the gaming industry by providing opportunities, education, and support for individuals from underrepresented communities. The IGDA-F is sponsored by a generous group of industry companies, including Double Fine Productions, Stride PR, and Premack Rogers Downs. Since 2008, the IGDA-F has supported more than 1,000 alumni who now develop games at both AAA and indie studios. For more information, visit https://igdafoundation.org 

About Women in Games International (WIGI)

Women in Games International is a nonprofit organization dedicated to cultivating resources that advance economic equality and diversity in the global games industry. Through programs, partnerships, and community building, WIGI creates access and opportunities for underrepresented voices in gaming. For more information, visit https://getwigi.com

The tenth annual conference will be held online September 16-19

August 6, 2025 – Game Devs of Color Expo (GDoCExpo), now in its tenth year, today revealed the full schedule for its online conference, running September 16-19. Organized by the 501(c)(3) nonprofit Game Devs of Color, the four‑day event will feature live panels, developer interviews, and more than 30 new game announcements during the GDoCExpo Direct kickoff on September 16 at 1 p.m. PDT / 4 p.m. EDT on the GDoCExpo YouTube channel. The Game Devs of Color Expo Steam Sale will also be live during the conference, with hundreds of demos and discounted games.

The full event schedule can be viewed here: https://gdoc.events/2025schedule 

In addition to the virtual program, in‑person watch parties are returning this year in New York City and Pittsburgh, with more watch parties to be announced. 

Thanks to the support of the New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, GDoCExpo will award up to $15,000 in no‑strings development grants to creators of color. Since 2019, GDoCExpo has awarded a total of $405,000 in grants to game creators of color.

Tickets for the 2025 GDoCExpo are on sale now, with need‑based tickets available by applying through this form. Members of the press are encouraged to register here to gain access to sessions, connect with speakers, and schedule interviews with developers. 

GDoCExpo is made possible thanks in part to its 2025 sponsors: Clever Endeavour Games, Fellow Traveller, Ghost Town Games, Isometricorp Games, Young Horses, and more. 

Community support remains vital: donations via the GiveButter fundraiser help underwrite future programming.

Since its inception in 2016, GDoCExpo has built a reputation as a welcoming and inclusive space where developers can exchange knowledge, showcase their work, and find new opportunities in the industry. The event fosters genuine conversations and connections that extend beyond the expo, creating lasting relationships among attendees.

The full list of speakers can be found at gamedevsofcolorexpo.com/speakers. For more information about Game Devs of Color Expo, please visit gamedevsofcolorexpo.com. 

About Game Devs of Color Expo

Game Devs of Color Expo is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to amplifying the creative power held by people of color in games. Creators of color make great games but are often pushed to the margins. We fight to create a better games industry that is intersectional and equitable by organizing revolutionary events, uniting our vibrant community, and building access to knowledge, funding, and opportunities.

With omnipotence on your side, you’ll shape civilizations, conjure miracles, cast curses, and decide the fate of all living mortals in a world that bends to your will.

Paderborn, Germany, August 6th, 2025: Thy holinesses 42 Bits Entertainment and Aerosoft are proud to announce that Fata Deum, the long-awaited god simulator, has foretold its release date! The game shall be available on Steam Early Access on September 15th 2025!

Inspired by legendary titles of old, such as Black & White and Populous, Fata Deum shall bestow upon its players the true second-coming of the God Games genre. Players will be granted the divine power to influence, build, destroy, and shape entire worlds, in their most grandiose image, or their least favourite mood! Through kindness or cruelty, by nurturing or with tyrannical ways, every action, good or bad, will change your people, their behaviour, how they worship you, and the very land beneath their feet.

What Kind of Deity will you Become?

In Fata Deum, you are not just a builder of cities. You are a shaper of beliefs, destinies and legacies. Guide mortals with a gentle hand or rule over them through fear. Fulfil their prayers, perform miracles, or punish them, because they’ve been bad, or… just because you can! Every action you take shifts the world around you, making each playthrough a unique, emergent story.

The game is separated into two main cycles of day and night. When the sun is up, perform wonders, shape civilization, and compete with rival gods for influence. In the darkness of night, tweak your strategy in peace, whisper into their dreams, and plan your next move. 

Whether you micromanage every moment or prefer a broader, more philosophical approach, Fata Deum adapts to your style. With a variety of handcrafted maps offering dozens of unique locations filled with secrets, story-driven quests, and strategic opportunities, you’ll be able to smash structures with physics-based destruction, call down meteorites, or reshape the landscape entirely. Build over 20 types of structures to tailor your society toward war, knowledge, industry, or growth, but remember, you are not the only god in this universe. 

Rival gods will challenge your influence, each with their own unique personality and divine domain:

• Violence, goddess of war and destruction
• Pleasure, god of indulgence, art, and joy
• Deceit, god of illusion and manipulation
• Fertility, the mother of life and creation

Wield miracles that affect everything from birth rates to city expansion. Bless your mortals with strength and intelligence, protect them in battle, or sacrifice them to gain power. You can even turn them into zombies, drain their life essence, or summon creatures from beyond. No two gods will play the same, and no world will grow alike.

“We’re proud to finally announce the launch date for Fata Deum! Our journey started with a humble Kickstarter, where 1,451 amazing backers believed in our vision and gave us the momentum to create something truly special. Since then, that support has grown into a community of over 200,000 wishlisters on Steam, something we could’ve only dreamed of back in 2021!” Said Christoph Schulze of 42 Bits Entertainment “Fata Deum is more than just a game to us. It’s our tribute to the god games we grew up with, and our chance to breathe new life into a genre we love. We can’t wait to welcome players into the world we’ve built, and hope they will enjoy creating wonderful worlds… or destroying them!”

Key Features at Launch:

• A living, evolving world that reacts to your divine choices
• Powerful miracle system with tons of effects and consequences
• Rival gods with distinct strategies, temperaments, and domains
• Dynamic day and night gameplay phases
• Over 20 building types and flexible city management
• Real-time physics-based destruction
• Handcrafted maps packed with quests, secrets, and surprises
• Morality and influence systems that shape both people and landscape

Fata Deum will be available for PC via Steam Early Access on September 15th but you can wishlist it today! The game will be available in various languages upon launch. 

About 42 Bits Entertainment:

42 Bits Entertainment is an independent game development studio on a mission to bring back the god game genre. Founded with the singular purpose to revive and reimagine the experience of divine power and moral choice, 42 Bits Entertainment believes in giving players the freedom to shape worlds and witness the consequences of their actions. With a deep appreciation for interactivity, emergent gameplay, and open-ended decision-making, the studio is dedicated to creating immersive experiences where players don’t just play the game, they play god. Their debut title, Fata Deum, is currently in development and aims to rekindle the magic that made god games a truly standout genre.

About Aerosoft:

Aerosoft GmbH was founded in 1991 at Paderborn/Lippstadt Airport and develops add-on software for Microsoft Flight Simulator. From 2002 onwards, add-ons for Train Simulator were also developed. Since 2007, Aerosoft has expanded its spectrum to include other simulations, including On the Road, OMSI 2, Autobahn Police Simulator and City Bus Manager. In 2016, Aerosoft published the two successful simulators Fernbus Coach Simulator in cooperation with FlixBus and Emergency Call 112 – The Fire Fighting Simulation. Aerosoft is also responsible for the flight simulators Microsoft Flight Simulator 2020 and XPlane 12 exclusively in Europe. With over 40 permanent employees, Aerosoft GmbH is one of the leading software publishers in the field of traffic simulations worldwide.

Innovative competition returns with separate “In-Development” and “Idea-Only” tracks, giving indie developers and creative visionaries new ways to bring their game ideas to life

TORONTO, Canada – August 6, 2025 – Blue Ocean Games, the early-stage venture fund backed by KRAFTON, Inc., today announced the launch of Rising Tide #2, the second installment of its groundbreaking competition series designed to discover and fund the next generation of indie game creators. Following the success of Rising Tide #1 that has already led to investment offers for six promising projects, including Terra Factoria, Rising Tide #2 introduces two distinct submission tracks, “In-Development” and “Idea-Only”, as well as new submission formats and prize opportunities tailored to creators at different stages of development.
 
“Rising Tide is about funding game creators at the earliest stages and pairing their ideas with real market validation through public voting,” said Damian Lee, Founder and Managing Partner of Blue Ocean Games. “By introducing two tracks and a more dynamic submission process, we’re making it easier than ever for creators to share their visions, gain recognition, and potentially secure funding to bring their games to life.”
 
In-Development Track: Designed for indie developers actively working on a game. The top 10 public vote winners and a selection of judges’ picks will each receive cash prizes ($1,000 for the top public vote winner; $100 for the remaining winners) and be invited to pitch Blue Ocean Games for up to $300,000 in funding under the company’s SAIL (Structured Agreement for Indie Launch) contract.
 
Idea-Only Track: A brand-new initiative for creators with game concepts but no development experience. Winners will receive $1,000 for Blue Ocean Games to option their idea for 12 months. If BOG secures a development partner, the creator will receive $25,000 for the IP and may be offered a role as a creative advisor with potential equity in the new studio. This track aims to broaden participation beyond traditional developers, welcoming artists, filmmakers, storytellers, and gamers with innovative ideas.
 
Building on insights from Rising Tide #1, participants will now submit two videos—a one-minute teaser trailer and a 15-second vertical “hook” video optimized for social media engagement. Blue Ocean Games will also introduce a refined voting system designed to improve the experience for voters and participants, as well as a new feature that allows voters to provide feedback directly to creators.
 
Blue Ocean Games is committed to reimagining how early-stage game concepts are discovered, validated, and funded. Its SAIL investment model provides up to $300,000 per team, with funding tied to objective, market-validation milestones rather than subjective checkpoints, while ensuring developers retain IP ownership.
 
“The new Idea-Only track takes inspiration from the way scripts are optioned in film and television,” said Lee. “We’re hoping to open the door to people who may have never touched a game engine, but have powerful stories or innovative game ideas they want to see made. All you need to submit is two short videos showcasing your idea and a document describing it.”
 
Murray Smith, the solo developer behind Terra Factoria, said: “Finding funding for games can feel like a catch-22—you need a demo to secure funding, but you need funding to make a demo. Blue Ocean Games is breaking that cycle and opening doors for developers like me to bring our ideas to life.”
 
Blue Ocean Games plans to continue refining Rising Tide based on community feedback, with the long-term goal of making it a cornerstone platform for discovering groundbreaking indie games and helping them reach players worldwide.
 
Submissions for Rising Tide #2 are now open. Indie developers and aspiring creators worldwide can learn more about the program by joining the Discord community at https://discord.gg/F7dKGNRTc2 and apply by visiting www.blueoceangames.com.
 
About Blue Ocean Games

Blue Ocean Games is an early-stage venture fund dedicated to supporting the next generation of indie game developers. Backed by KRAFTON, Inc., BOG invests in innovative game concepts that traditional publishers and investors often overlook. Through its unique SAIL investment model, BOG funds creators at the concept stage while helping them retain IP ownership. The fund also provides practical support, including incorporation assistance, bookkeeping, and mentorship from industry veterans. Blue Ocean Games was founded by former KRAFTON investment head Damian Lee and is headquartered in Toronto.

Smilegate expands partnership with former GTA creative director Dan Houser for global AAA publishing – New game set in A BETTER PARADISE universe in development, funded by Smilegate

August 6, 2025 – Smilegate today announced that it has signed an agreement with Dan Houser’s Absurd Ventures to globally publish the studio’s upcoming AAA, open-world, sci-fi action-adventure game, set in its mind-bending A BETTER PARADISE universe. The partnership follows Smilegate’s strategic investment in Absurd Ventures, announced last year.

A BETTER PARADISE is an expansive universe created by Absurd Ventures, the company founded by Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser, the former creative director and lead writer of the GRAND THEFT AUTO and RED DEAD REDEMPTION franchises, among others. Building on the studio’s talent for crafting incredible narrative worlds and characters, A BETTER PARADISE has already spawned a hit audio fiction series, A BETTER PARADISE Volume One: An Aftermath, which debuted at the top of Apple’s Fiction charts and won the 2024 Signal Award for Best Episode of Scripted Fiction. Absurd Ventures is also releasing a novelization of the first volume of A BETTER PARADISE’s story, due out in October 2025.

Currently in early development, the video game is being written and creative directed by Houser alongside his worldbuilding and creative team which includes longtime collaborators Lazlow, and Michael Unsworth. The game’s development at Absurd Ventures is being led by veteran studio head Greg Borrud who was previously General Manager of Niantic and co-founder of Pandemic Studios. Houser and Borrud have been building an elite team at Absurd Ventures studios and the A BETTER PARADISE game project boasts senior game development talent with previous experience from Bungie, Treyarch, Respawn, Insomniac, Riot, and more, with lead credits on best-in-class action and adventure games such as Call of Duty, Destiny 2, Valorant, Spider-Man 2, Hogwarts Legacy, and many others.

With a top-tier development team, Absurd is officially in development on this new AAA game, driven by an ambitious and exciting creative vision. The company expects Smilegate’s expertise and experience, as proven by its success in the global gaming industry, to bring strong synergy to their strategic publishing partnership. Following its equity investment in Absurd Ventures last year, Smilegate plans to make a full-scale investment, including development funding, into the A BETTER PARADISE project to help ensure its global success. 

Sung Joon-ho, CEO of Smilegate, said:

“We are thrilled to take on this new challenge in the global AAA game market alongside Dan Houser and Absurd. We are confident that the strong storytelling of the ABP universe combined with the development capabilities of the Absurd team will result in an outstanding title. We are a company with a developer-first DNA and truly understand what development studios need,” he emphasized. “Through our partnership with Absurd, we will fully support the A Better Paradise game project and do our utmost to help create a new title that will be loved by players around the world. Smilegate will leverage its extensive experience and success in global markets to ensure the ABP project becomes a beloved success worldwide.”

Dan Houser, founder of Absurd Ventures, stated:

“Absurd Ventures was set up to tell new and different kinds of stories, and to create what I hope are interesting and compelling original experiences. This new game is an opportunity to go somewhere entirely different and to take players on an entirely new adventure. I am excited to be going on this journey with the amazing team that we are building here at Absurd Ventures and am grateful that we are partnering with Smilegate who really understand and support our vision.”

Kwon Hyuk-bin, Chief Visionary Officer of Smilegate, added:

“Dan Houser and I have formed a deep friendship through our shared interest in games and the future, and I find it especially meaningful that we are now able to share our creative visions through this collaboration on the A Better Paradise project,” he stated. “We’re excited to present a title that reflects the vision we’ve often discussed—one that we hope will deeply resonate with gamers around the world.

Through this joint project, Smilegate aims to grow beyond Asia and become a major player in the global gaming industry.

Absurd Ventures was advised by Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks, P.C. and Fenwick & West LLP in connection with the transaction. Smilegate was advised by DLA Piper.

Further details, including the development schedule and platforms, will be announced at a later date. To learn more about the A BETTER PARADISE universe, visit the official website.

About Smilegate

Smilegate is a global game development and publishing company headquartered in South Korea with regional offices in the United States, China, and Japan. Its flagship franchise ‘CROSSFIRE’ is one of the largest and most successful franchises in gaming history. It has more than 1 billion registered users to date in PC and mobile platforms and over 8 million concurrent players globally. Its latest project, ‘Lost Ark,’ is an MMORPG that was released in South Korea in 2018 and was launched in North America and Europe in February 2021. Lost Ark recorded the number for concurrent players on Steam with over 1.32M. Learn more by visiting Smilegate.com.

About Absurd Ventures

Absurd Ventures is a storytelling-driven entertainment company creating original video games, live-action and animated film and television, audio fiction, books, comic books, and more. The company was founded by Dan Houser, who was previously co-founder of Rockstar Games, and the lead creative force behind some of the most successful entertainment properties in history. Absurd Ventures’ original IP, created by Houser, includes sci-fi-thriller universe A Better Paradise, crime-fiction universe American Caper, and comedy-satire universe Absurdaverse. Its debut project, an audio fiction series set in the A Better Paradise world, debuted as the #1 fiction podcast on Apple. In 2025, Absurd Ventures will release an American Caper comic book series, an A Better Paradise novel, Absurdaverse animation projects, and more. Absurd Ventures is headquartered in Santa Monica, with additional studio offices in Marin, California. Storytelling. Philanthropy. Ultraviolence.