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Absurd Ventures Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Senior AI Engineer

San Rafael, CA ยท On-site +1

$160K - $190K/yr

Summary We are looking for an experienced AI Engineer to join our early stage team. In this role you will build systems and features that support a rich open world in Unreal Engine 5. We are looking ...

Lead Open World Designer

Santa Monica, CA ยท On-site

$150K - $175K/yr

Summary As the Lead Open World Designer, you will be the primary vision holder for the open world, its systems, and content. You will lead a multi-disciplinary team to deliver a best-in-class open ...

Lead Engineer, Game Systems

Santa Monica, CA ยท On-site +1

$170K - $195K/yr

Summary We are seeking a highly experienced and collaborative Lead Engineer, Game Systems to help drive the design, architecture, and implementation of core gameplay, progression, and economy systems.

Lead Open World Designer

Santa Monica, CA ยท On-site +1

$150K - $175K/yr

Summary As the Lead Open World Designer, you will be the primary vision holder for the open world, its systems, and content. You will lead a multi-disciplinary team to deliver a best-in-class open ...

World Builder

Santa Monica, CA ยท On-site

$110K - $130K/yr

We are seeking an experienced Level Designer - World Builder for our large-scale open world AAA game in Unreal Engine 5. You will be part of a team who is responsible for bringing this world to life ...

Showing results 21-34

Absurd Ventures information

See salary details

$36K

$72.1K

$112K

How much do absurd ventures jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 6, 2026, the average yearly pay for absurd ventures in the United States is $72,093.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $62,500.00 and $76,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is Absurd Ventures?

Absurd Ventures is a creative development studio founded by Dan Houser, the co-creator of Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption. The company focuses on creating original stories and intellectual properties across various media, such as video games, television, and literature. Absurd Ventures is dedicated to innovative storytelling and aims to build immersive worlds that span multiple formats. As of 2024, the studio is actively hiring and developing new projects but has not yet announced specific titles.

What is the difference between Absurd Ventures vs Content Writer?

AspectAbsurd VenturesContent Writer
Required CredentialsTypically a degree in marketing, communications, or related fieldsUsually a degree in English, journalism, or communications
Work EnvironmentStartups, marketing agencies, or digital media companiesMedia companies, marketing firms, or freelance settings
Industry UsageUsed across marketing, advertising, and media industriesCommon in publishing, marketing, and online content creation
Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding company roles vs content creation tasksClarifying writing responsibilities and skills

Absurd Ventures typically refers to a company or startup involved in marketing or media, requiring skills in strategy and branding. Content Writers focus on creating written content, often within media or marketing industries. While both roles may overlap in digital media environments, Absurd Ventures emphasizes strategic branding, whereas Content Writers concentrate on producing engaging content.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a game designer at Absurd Ventures, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Game Designer at Absurd Ventures, you need a strong background in game design principles, storytelling, and interactive systems, often supported by a degree in game design or related fields. Proficiency with industry-standard tools such as Unity, Unreal Engine, and design documentation software is typically required. Creativity, collaboration, and effective communication are essential soft skills for working with cross-functional teams and contributing original ideas. These skills ensure the development of engaging, innovative games that align with both company vision and player expectations.

What types of creative projects do team members at Absurd Ventures typically collaborate on, and how does this impact daily workflows?

At Absurd Ventures, team members often collaborate on innovative storytelling projects, ranging from narrative-driven games to multimedia experiences. This collaborative environment means daily workflows can be highly dynamic, with frequent brainstorming sessions, cross-disciplinary meetings, and iterative feedback cycles. Employees often work closely with writers, designers, and producers to bring ambitious concepts to life, requiring strong communication and adaptability. The creative freedom and variety in projects can be both exciting and challenging, offering continual opportunities for skill growth and portfolio development.
More about Absurd Ventures jobs
What cities are hiring for Absurd Ventures jobs? Cities with the most Absurd Ventures job openings:
What states have the most Absurd Ventures jobs? States with the most job openings for Absurd Ventures jobs include:
Infographic showing various Absurd Ventures job openings in the United States as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $72,093 per year, or $34.7 per hour.

Mission Design Lead (Campaign)

Absurd Ventures

Santa Monica, CA โ€ข On-site

$160K - $190K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 19 days ago


Job description

Summary
As Mission Design Lead (Campaign), you will be the primary vision holder and a hands-on contributor for story missions and single-player campaigns. Lead a multi-disciplinary team to deliver critical path and side missions that combine best-in-class storytelling and action gameplay in an open world setting.
Responsibilities
  • Drive the design and implementation of engaging, diverse, innovative missions within a story-driven, open-world game.
  • Work closely with the narrative team to develop the flow of main story missions.
  • Develop and execute the mission design vision and strategy, ensuring that missions align with the game's overall narrative, thematic, and player experience goals.
  • Continuously seek opportunities to innovate and push the boundaries of mission design.
  • Leverage the game's open-world systems and mechanics to create dynamic and unpredictable mission experiences that adapt to player choices and actions.
  • Lead and mentor a team of mission designers, providing direction, feedback and support throughout the development process.
  • Go beyond documentation and management to lead from the trenches, with hands-on contributions to the playable experience.
  • Foster a culture of collaboration, innovation and iteration.

Qualifications
  • 5 or more years of experience in mission design, ideally within an open-world game.
  • Excellent communication, interpersonal, and leadership skills.
  • Innovative thinker with creative problem-solving skills who thrives in a collaborative team environment.
  • Strong understanding of storytelling and narrative design.
  • Experience leading multidisciplinary teams is a plus.
  • Experience in UE4 or UE5 is a plus.
  • Experience working with co-development partners is a plus.

Description
  • Full time job with benefits
  • Role is on-site in Santa Monica, CA
  • Office is located near downtown Santa Monica - near metro and freeways

The base pay range for this position is $160,000 to $190,000 per year. Actual compensation is based on market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. We also offer a competitive package of benefits including paid time off, sick time, company holidays, parental leave, medical/dental/vision insurance, life insurance, disability insurance, and 401(k) to regular full-time employees. Certain roles may also be eligible for bonus and equity.