Rachel Dratch, Dan Soder, Ari Matti Join Dan Houser’s ‘Absurdaverse’

Video game legend, Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser’s Absurd Ventures, has announced the first wave of voice actors for Absurdaverse, an interconnected comedy-satire universe spanning a yet to be titled animated series and an original AAA story-driven open-world video game currently in development. The project will debut a set of animated shorts at a May 7 screening during the Netflix Is A Joke Festival event in Los Angeles. Series and video game release dates as well as platform partners were not released.

The initial cast includes Rachel Dratch (SNL), Dan Soder (Billions), Ari Matti, Annie Lederman (Terrifier 3, Girl Code), Yamaneika Saunders (The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Last Comic Standing, Crashing, The Jim Gaffigan Show), and Steph Tolev, with additional performers to be announced. The projects draw heavily from stand-up and comedy talent, with a cast of hundreds expected across the broader slate of animation and game productions.

First announced in 2025, Absurdaverse is a wholly original comedy-satire universe created and scripted by Houser and longtime collaborator Lazlow. Games written and creatively led by Houser include record-breaking titles in the Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption series which have sold hundreds of millions of copies and are among the top 5 bestselling video games of all time. These story-driven titles are known for their sprawling and immersively detailed worlds which featured hours of satirical animated TV shows and cartoons including beloved GTA fan favorites like Princess Robot Bubblegum, Kung Fu Rainbow Laser Force, Republican Space Rangers, and The Loneliest Robot in Great Britain.

"Since our earliest days working together, Dan and I have approached storytelling with an emphasis on comedy, satire and creating immersive media universes – whether through in-world radio, animated TV shows, comedy clubs you could visit, and more," said Lazlow. "We always loved making those animated shows starting with GTA4 and expanding through all the games that followed. The Absurdaverse is our evolution of that tradition, partnering with comedians to bring these ridiculous characters to life with stories that will cross over between animation and open world games."

"For many years, Lazlow and I have collaborated to give form to all sorts of characters that have inhabited our worlds," said Houser. "I look forward to introducing some of our newest group of maniacs from our next universe in this first set of animated shorts. We are proud to partner with the Netflix Is A Joke Festival to present this first look."

The first animated shorts will premiere during a May 7 live comedy event titled "ABSURDAVERSE Presents…" at The Hollywood Improv. The shorts introduce an ensemble of “eclectic and unhinged” characters including a Chief People Officer who treats his role like a DJ residency, voiced by Dan Soder; a chain-smoking sovereign citizen podcaster, voiced by Rachel Dratch; and an unhinged MMA fighter voiced by Samantha Alton. The event will also feature stand-up performances from Patton Oswalt and members of the voice cast, hosted by Annie Lederman. Limited tickets are now available for purchase online.

The animated shorts are produced by Dave Newberg (#1 Happy Family USA), with character designs by Kendra Melton (Rick & Morty, The Venture Bros) and animation by Cutting Class Media. The larger animated series and open-world game remain in development, with release timing and platform details not yet announced.

Absurd Ventures, founded by Houser, develops original properties across video games, animation, live-action, audio fiction, and publishing. Its existing projects include the sci-fi thriller universe A Better Paradise and the crime-fiction universe American Caper. The company is headquartered in Santa Monica with additional offices in Marin, California.

Dan Sarto is Publisher and Editor-in-Chief of Animation World Network.