Fans of the iconic Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption series can now dive into a novel penned by Dan Houser, the former lead writer for both celebrated franchises. Houser, who co-founded Rockstar Studios, released his debut novel, A Better Paradise: Volume One – An Aftermath, on October 14.
The hardcover edition of this intriguing novel is available for $29. For digital readers, the Kindle version can be purchased for $15. An audiobook format is also available exclusively through Audible. Houser’s first foray into novel writing is an expanded adaptation of a 2024 audio fiction series. This series was produced by Absurd Ventures, the multimedia studio Houser founded in 2021 after his departure from Rockstar the previous year. A Better Paradise: Volume One plunges into a compelling narrative centered around a canceled video game that continues to torment those who worked on it, even a decade later. The book was published under Absurd Ventures Press and distributed by Simon & Schuster, a major publishing house.
Houser is widely recognized for his extensive contributions as the head writer for every Grand Theft Auto game since 1999, both Red Dead Redemption titles, as well as critically acclaimed games like Bully and Max Payne 3.
The novel is set in the near future, specifically 2041, and explores the world of Daisy’s Ark. This advanced video game world was initially developed by the tech startup Tyburn Industria, conceived by visionary psychologist Mark Tyburn. However, the project was ultimately canceled due to “unexpected and disturbing results.” Years later, the abandoned creation refuses to stay buried, casting a long shadow over everyone involved in its development. The story unfolds through multiple first-person narrators, including Kurt Fischer, a former key employee of Tyburn Industria; Daisy Tyburn, Mark’s daughter and the game world’s namesake; and an artificial intelligence named NigelDave.
Measuring 448 pages, the hardcover edition is designed for a relatively quick read, with short paragraphs separated by line breaks providing ample white space on each page.
Beyond the novel, the narrative expands from an audio series that debuted last June and comprised 12 episodes. It featured a talented ensemble cast including Andrew Lincoln from The Walking Dead, Shamier Anderson, and Paterson Joseph. The audio series is freely accessible on various podcast services.
As its title suggests, this is merely the first installment in what is planned to be a larger series by Houser. The exact number of volumes remains undisclosed, but it’s confirmed that A Better Paradise will eventually be realized as a real video game, currently under development at Absurd Ventures.
Absurd Ventures is also collaborating with Dark Horse on American Caper, a 12-part comic book series also created and written by Houser. American Caper #1 is set to release on November 12, with a digital edition available for preorder at $5. American Caper #2 can also be preordered for $5, ahead of its December 24 release.
Novels about video games and game studios:
If you’re eager to explore more fiction centered around games and the individuals who craft them, consider the following titles. For retro game enthusiasts, Jason Rekulak’s coming-of-age novel The Impossible Fortress is particularly recommended. Similarly, Gabrielle Zevin’s Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow offers a moving chronicle of two friends whose shared passion for video games leads them to establish their own game studio.
- Jason Rekulak – The Impossible Fortress
- Hardcover — $20 (originally $24)
- Paperback — $17.66 (originally $19)
- Gabrielle Zevin – Tomorrow, and Tomorrow, and Tomorrow
- Hardcover — $13.32 (originally $28)
- Paperback — $12 (originally $19)
- Austin Grossman – You
- Paperback — $11.22 (originally $15)
- Hardcover — $23.73 (originally $26)
- Collin Armstrong – Polybius
- Hardcover — $15.30 (originally $29)
- Paperback — $19 | Expected Feb. 3, 2026
- Neal Stephenson – Reamde
- Hardcover — $19 (originally $35)
- Paperback — $15.57 (originally $26)
- Neal Stephenson – Fall; or, Dodge in Hell
- Hardcover — $24.32 (originally $35)
- Paperback — $17.14 (originally $22)
- Ernest Cline – Armada
- Paperback — $10 (originally $20)
- Hardcover — $25 (originally $29)
- Ernest Cline – Ready Player One
- Hardcover — $18.42 (originally $30)
- Paperback — $10.79 (originally $20)
- Ernest Cline – Ready Player Two
- Hardcover — $14.84 (originally $30)
- Paperback — $15.81 (originally $17)
- Marie Lu – Warcross
- Hardcover — $10.63 (originally $20)
- Paperback — $7.62 (originally $13)
- D.B. Weiss – Lucky Boy Wander (Kindle) — $6