A Better Paradise

Dan Houser -- yes, the co-founder of Rockstar Games and creative force behind Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption -- created and wrote this science fiction audio drama through his new company Absurd Ventures, produced in partnership with Qcode. Andrew Lincoln (The Walking Dead), Shamier Anderson, Paterson Joseph, and Rain Spencer star. The story follows the development of an ambitious digital game-world project called "Daisy's Ark," led by Dr. Mark Tyburn. The project produces disturbing results and is eventually abandoned, but the consequences linger. At 12 main episodes, it has room to explore its ideas thoroughly. The show operates in the space between technology thriller and philosophical inquiry, asking questions about artificial worlds and the responsibilities of their creators. With a 3.4-star rating from 237 reviews, it is polarizing. The pedigree is undeniable -- Houser's storytelling instincts are well-proven, and the cast is strong. But some listeners found the pacing deliberate to a fault, and the themes may appeal more to people already interested in questions about game design and virtual reality ethics. For Rockstar Games fans curious about what Houser does when freed from the constraints of interactive media, this offers a fascinating window into his narrative interests outside of gaming.