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Smilegate to Publish Absurd Ventures’ AAA Open-World Game Set in the A BETTER PARADISE Universe

  • 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

SANTA MONICA, Calif. and SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — 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.

Smilegate to Publish Absurd Ventures’ AAA Open-World Game Set in the A BETTER PARADISE Universe
Smilegate to Publish Absurd Ventures’ AAA Open-World Game Set in the A BETTER PARADISE Universe

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, and follow along with the latest updates on X, Instagram, Bluesky, YouTube, Threads, Facebook, and TikTok.

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.

SOUTH KOREA’S FIRST FULLY AUTOMATED MULTI-PRODUCT ORDER FULFILMENT DISTRIBUTION CENTRE FOR LOTTE CHILSUNG

SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Dematic, a global leader in supply chain automation, has announced the successful deployment of an advanced integrated logistics solution at Lotte Chilsung Beverage’s Bupyeong Logistics Centre. The installation marks a milestone for the region as the first fully automated, mixed case order fulfilment system in South Korea and the broader Asian beverage industry.

Photo Credit: Dematic
Photo Credit: Dematic

Lotte Chilsung, one of Korea’s largest beverage producers, consolidated four existing distribution facilities into a single logistics hub in Bupyeong. The site covers approximately 8,300 square metres, with a height of 42 metres and a capacity of 9,000 pallets. It services more than 1.2 million cases of beverages annually across convenience stores, e-commerce platforms, general retailers, and food & beverage providers.

Facing challenges including rising labour costs, worker fatigue and growing demand for small-batch, multi-product orders, Lotte Chilsung selected Dematic to design a solution that could address these pressures while also enabling precise, high-speed fulfilment within a limited urban footprint.

Dematic delivered a fully integrated system incorporating a high-density 40-metre Automated Storage and Retrieval System (AS/RS) for space efficient pallet storage, a sophisticated Dematic Multishuttle system for carton buffering and sequencing, robotic layer picking for automated layer handling, and RapidPall palletising cells that build optimised mixed case pallets. Additionally, an automated dispatch buffer equipped with pallet shuttle technology reduces staging space requirements and enables rapid truck loading. All components are centrally managed by the Dematic Warehouse Control System (WCS) that is seamlessly integrated with Lotte Chilsung’s enterprise systems.

Since go-live, the solution has significantly reduced manual processes, improved picking accuracy, and enhanced delivery responsiveness while providing real-time inventory visibility and traceability.

“In a market where small, mixed orders are the new norm, Dematic’s automated system has transformed our logistics operations,” said Shim Kyung-seop, Director of Lotte Chilsung’s Bupyeong Logistics Centre. “It has dramatically improved order accuracy, reduced delivery times and enhanced overall customer satisfaction, while also relieving the strain on our workforce.”

By implementing Dematic’s automated system, Lotte Chilsung has significantly improved logistics efficiency within a compact footprint, reducing its reliance on manual labour and lowering operational costs. The new system also provides real-time visibility into inventory and product movement, enabling stronger quality control and faster, more accurate responses to customer demands.

Michael Bradshaw, Vice President of Solution Development for Dematic Asia Pacific, noted that the system reflects the strength of Dematic’s long-standing partnership with Lotte Chilsung. “This is more than a technology deployment, it’s a landmark project that sets a new standard for beverage logistics in Asia. Our team designed a solution tailored to addressing Lotte Chilsung’s operational challenges, delivering measurable and sustainable business outcomes.”

The new facility represents a major step in Lotte Chilsung’s digital transformation and sustainability roadmap. With automation playing a growing role in its logistics strategy, the company plans to continue working with Dematic to develop future-ready supply chain solutions across Korea and beyond.

For more information about Dematic, visit dematic.com or follow us on LinkedIn, Facebook, Instagram, and X.

AI Account Launches Built-In Consolidation Feature Across 23 Countries Within Two Years, Covering ASEAN and Beyond

SINGAPORE, Aug. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — AI Account, a Singapore-based cloud accounting software company, has launched a built-in consolidation feature now available in 23 countries—including all ASEAN markets and beyond.

AI-Powered Accounting Software Designed to Scale Global Businesses
AI-Powered Accounting Software Designed to Scale Global Businesses

The feature enables businesses with entities in multiple countries to automatically generate consolidated financial reports using AI Account alone.

“Consolidation across multiple countries has always been a challenge for growing businesses,” said Tommy Teo, Director of AI Account. “We built this feature to solve that pain point—so companies can manage regional operations more efficiently and stay compliant, all from one system.”

Where it’s available:
The feature is fully localized and live in: Australia, Bermuda, Brunei, British Virgin Islands, Cambodia, Canada, Cayman Islands, Hong Kong, India, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Malaysia, Maldives, Myanmar, New Zealand, Pakistan, Philippines, Singapore, Thailand, United Arab Emirates, United Kingdom, United States, and Vietnam.

Consolidation typically requires exporting data into spreadsheets or relying on external tools. AI Account removes that friction by embedding the functionality directly within its system. This significantly reduces the complexity of cross-border accounting and compliance for growing businesses.

AI Account is designed to help SMEs and multi-entity companies reduce accounting complexity, improve reporting accuracy, and scale with confidence.

To learn more, visit www.aiaccount.com

About AI Account
AI Account is Singapore-built cloud accounting software that uses AI and automation to deliver localized, intelligent, and compliant financial tools for businesses worldwide. Its mission is to simplify accounting processes across borders and empower companies to grow without operational bottlenecks.

AI Account Pte. Ltd.(UEN: 202205018W)

Singapore Office
101 Thomson Road, #06-00/01, United Square, Singapore 307591

 

 

Goodstack Powers TikTok’s Global #TeamWater Fundraiser with MrBeast and WaterAid

SAN FRANCISCO, Aug. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Goodstack, the technology company powering giving for the world’s leading brands, is announcing a new fundraiser as part of their ongoing partnership with TikTok. They’re teaming up to launch a global campaign, #TeamWater, led by YouTube Creator MrBeast, in support of WaterAid. The fundraiser aims to raise $40 million by August 31 to bring clean water to 2 million people worldwide.

 

Mark Rober & MrBeast
Mark Rober & MrBeast

 

Spanning 31 countries, #TeamWater unites many of TikTok’s most influential creators in one of the largest creator-led fundraising efforts to date. Thanks to Goodstack’s technology, TikTok users can contribute directly within the app, turning content into real-world support for communities in need.

“This partnership between Goodstack, TikTok, and MrBeast is exactly what the future of giving looks like: fast, collaborative, and community-powered,” said Aylin Oncel, VP of Impact at Goodstack. “Our team at Goodstack is proud to provide the donation tools that help creators, nonprofits like WaterAid, and platforms like TikTok come together to drive massive global impact.”

Campaign Highlights:

  • $1 = Clean water for 1 person for 1 year
  • Goal:$40 million by August 31
  • Impact: 2 million lives changed

The #TeamWater campaign underscores the power of creators to drive collective action — and shows how TikTok can turn engagement into meaningful, measurable global change.

Join the Movement

Donate directly on TikTok: https://www.tiktok.com/t/ZT6yeH2Ws 

Read more here: newsroom.tiktok.com/en-us/tiktok-partners-with-mrbeast-on-teamwater-campaign-for-wateraid 

Media Enquiries

For press inquiries, please contact us at pr@goodstack.io.

About Goodstack

Goodstack is on a mission to revolutionize how the world does good by connecting companies, employees, and customers to causes through the largest purpose-driven network on the planet. Learn more at goodstack.io.

 

 

Daesang’s O’food Draws Thousands at Australia’s Largest University Festival

– Participated in the University of Sydney Welcome Fest on August 45, engaged with international university students

– Attracted around 10,000 daily visitorspraised for product sampling, digital content, and Gen MZ-focused marketing

SEOUL, South Korea, Aug. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Daesang announced on 7th that its global food brand O’food participated in Welcome Fest 2025 at the University of Sydney, one of Australia’s most prestigious universities.

Daesang Participated in the “University of Sydney Welcome Fest” on August 4–5
Daesang Participated in the “University of Sydney Welcome Fest” on August 4–5

Held August 4 and 5, the University of Sydney’s Welcome Fest is one of Australia’s premier university festivals, taking place twice a year at the start of each semester. The fun-filled event offers students opportunities to connect with peers and explore a wide range of campus programs and services. As the largest university event in the country, this year’s edition featured more than 180 booths, representing 56 brands and 111 University of Sydney-affiliated clubs. This semester’s festival drew an enthusiastic crowd of about 35,000 students.

O’food, as the only Korean brand participating, operated its own booth under the theme “O’food at O’Week” to strengthen its connection with the global Gen MZ demographic. Despite rainy weather, the booth drew long lines and lively engagement throughout the event, attracting over 10,000 visitors per day and demonstrating strong interest in Daesang’s global food brand.

During the event, O’food delighted students with tastings of ready-to-eat products, featuring locally produced dumplings and fried rice. Visitors also had the chance to receive freebies, such as cup tteokbokki and kimchi cup ramen. The convenience and bold flavour of these easy-to-prepare products proved especially popular among K-Food enthusiasts and international students living in dorms and off campus.

Marketing initiatives tailored to Gen MZ garnered positive feedback. Catering to their digital-savvy lifestyle, O’food provided a Google Maps-integrated “Where to Buy” guide showing local retail locations, TikTok-based interactive filters and challenges, branded merchandise, and a variety of engaging digital content. The booth also hosted Instagram follow events and a roulette game that awarded O’food ready meals as prizes. Participants who provided product feedback were entered into a drawing for a mystery gift box filled with O’food items, which added an extra layer of excitement and engagement.

Christal Sutiono and Sam McCredie, students who participated in the booth event, shared, “We’ve become interested in K-Food through various media channels, but apart from K-BBQ, we hadn’t had much exposure to Korean cuisine—and visiting a Korean restaurant felt a bit intimidating. At the event, we got to sample O’food products like kimchi fried rice and found the Google Maps guide showing where to buy them, along with simple cooking instructions. It made us feel confident about trying them out in our dorm.”

Jeff Choi, CEO of Daesang Australia, stated, “This was a valuable opportunity to engage directly with Gen MZ individuals from diverse backgrounds in Australia and effectively showcase the appeal of the O’food brand. We will continue introducing locally tailored products and content to build deeper intergenerational connections and strengthen our position as a fun and flavorful K-Food brand leader.”

AML RightSource Named by Everest Group as a Leader in Financial Crime Compliance

CLEVELAND, Aug. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — AML RightSource, the global expert solutions leader in financial crime compliance and third-party risk management, has been named a Leader in Everest Group’s Financial Crime Compliance Operations Services Peak Matrix® Assessment 2025.

Everest Group’s data-driven annual report evaluates service providers across key dimensions, including market impact and vision & capability. AML RightSource’s recognition as a Leader reflects its ability to deliver high-quality outcomes for clients, underpinned by a strong global delivery model and investment in technology, analytics, and subject matter experts.

AML RightSource’s CEO, Steve Meirink shared “We are proud to be recognized as a Leader in Everest Group’s 2025 PEAK Matrix® for Financial Crime Compliance Operations Services, especially in our first year of participation. This recognition reflects the strength of our global delivery model, the depth of our subject matter expertise, and our continued investment in advanced technology and analytics. It reinforces our vision to be the leading expert solutions provider that our clients and partners count on every single day to prevent financial crimes and increase transparency with third parties. As we work together to foster trust across the global financial ecosystem, we remain focused on making our local communities safer. This acknowledgment from Everest Group validates the impact of our mission and the dedication of our teams across the globe.”

In its report, Everest Group highlighted several strengths of AML RightSource, including:

  • Breadth of services across FCC value chain, including KYC, enhanced due diligence, transaction monitoring, fraud, and reporting
  • Use of AI and advanced analytics to improve efficiency and support better decision-making
  • Deep regulatory insight, expertise, and industry knowledge, enabling tailored solutions for banks, fintechs, and global corporations
  • Global delivery capabilities, with experienced teams in the US, Canada, UK, Europe, and Asia.

Being named a Leader by Everest Group is a strong endorsement of the outcomes we deliver and how we deliver them,” said Brad Breslin, EVP and Chief Delivery Officer at AML RightSource. “This recognition reflects our ability to scale high-quality compliance operations without requiring clients to expand their internal teams or tech stacks. From day one, we bring deep subject matter expertise, best-in-class technology workflows, and a global delivery model that ensures precision, efficiency, and resilience. Our placement across both market impact and vision & capability validates our clients’ trust in us to help them navigate complexity and deliver with confidence. This achievement is a direct result of the dedication, expertise, and passion of our global team. We’re proud to be setting the standard for excellence in FCC operations.”

In a market rapidly shifting from check-the-box compliance to risk-based orchestration, buyers are prioritizing partners who blend regulatory expertise with technology led investigation capabilities,” noted Dheeraj Maken, Practice Director, Everest Group. “Through a series of strategic acquisitions, AML RightSource has built a modular technology ecosystem that enhances key workflows across KYC, adverse media, and third-party risk management. Coupled with its focus on high-touch, SME-led delivery, these capabilities have contributed to its placement as a Leader in our Financial Crime and Compliance (FCC) Operations Services PEAK Matrix® Assessment 2025.”

This independent validation of AML RightSource’s leadership in financial crime compliance operations comes at a time when financial institutions are under growing pressure to address regulatory complexity, manage operational costs, and respond to emerging threats. AML RightSource continues to support clients through a combination of managed services, advisory expertise, and enabling technology.

About AML RightSource, LLC
AML RightSource is a global leader in financial crime compliance and risk management. We deliver tailored solutions through expert professionals and advanced technology, supporting AML, KYC, EDD, and more. With 6,500+ specialists worldwide, we help clients meet compliance demands and strategic goals. Learn more at www.amlrightsource.com

Disclaimer
Licensed extracts taken from Everest Group’s PEAK Matrix® Reports may be used by licensed third parties for use in their own marketing and promotional activities and collateral. Selected extracts from Everest Group’s PEAK Matrix® reports do not necessarily provide the full context of our research and analysis.  All research and analysis conducted by Everest Group’s analysts and included in Everest Group’s PEAK Matrix® reports is independent and no organization has paid a fee to be featured or to influence their ranking. To access the complete research and to learn more about our methodology, please visit Everest Group PEAK Matrix® Reports.

Logo – https://laotiantimes.com/wp-content/uploads/2025/08/aml_rightsource_logo.jpg 

Saasyan Rolls Out Parent Portal to Help Keep Students Safe Online–At School and Home

SYDNEY, Aug. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Saasyan has rolled out its new Parent Portal, now available to schools using its AI-powered student safety solution, Assure. The new tool helps families play a more active role in managing online risks outside school hours, supporting safer and more balanced screen use at home, and helping schools meet their obligations under the Online Safety Act 2021.

Today’s students spend more time online than ever, for learning, socialising, and entertainment. But that time comes with growing risks: exposure to inappropriate content, cyberbullying, screen overuse, and disrupted sleep. While schools are doing their part with in-class protections, keeping students safe online requires a shared effort.

The Parent Portal makes it easier for parents and carers to stay involved. With a clear, easy-to-use dashboard, families can set simple limits around internet use, helping to reinforce the expectations already in place at school.

“The Parent Portal gives families a better view into their child’s digital life,” said Greg Margossian, Founder and Managing Director of Saasyan. “It’s a practical way for parents to support the healthy habits students are encouraged to build in the classroom.”

What Parents and Schools Can Expect

Simple to Use No technical skills required, just a clean dashboard that provides parents with clarity and control.
Set Healthy Limits Manage access to apps, games, and websites during homework time or overnight.
In Sync with Schools Mirrors school-set boundaries for consistent messaging and support.
Secure by Design Only authorised guardians can access student data, with strong privacy protections in place.
Helps with Compliance Assists schools in meeting national online safety standards, including the Online Safety Act 2021.

Who It’s For

  • Schools looking to involve families in digital wellbeing
  • IT and wellbeing teams are working to create safer learning environments
  • Parents and carers who want to guide healthier digital habits at home

The Parent Portal is now available to schools across Australia using Saasyan Assure.

Media Contact:

Meg Hockey
Email: press@saasyan.com
Tel.: +61 2 8001 6632

About Saasyan

Saasyan creates AI-powered tools that help schools keep students safe online. Trusted by over 750 schools and supporting more than 450,000 students, Saasyan’s technology detects threats such as cyberbullying, self-harm risks, and exposure to harmful content, while working seamlessly with schools’ existing identity and cybersecurity systems.

NOTICE OF SETTLEMENT APPROVAL

DID YOU ACQUIRE SECURITIES OF TREVALI MINING CORPORATION BETWEEN OCTOBER 9, 2020 AND AUGUST 15, 2022, INCLUSIVE? A SETTLEMENT APPROVED BY THE SUPREME COURT OF BRITISH COLUMBIA MAY AFFECT YOUR RIGHTS.  YOU MAY NEED TO TAKE PROMPT ACTION.

VANCOUVER, BC and TORONTO, Aug. 7, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — KND Complex Litigation announces the final approval of the settlement in a securities class action brought on behalf of a class of shareholders of Trevali Mining Corporation (“Trevali“), in relation to the proceedings in the Supreme Court of British Columbia at Vancouver Registry, No. VLC-S-S-228113 (“Securities Class Action“) and No. S-226670 (“CCAA Proceedings“).

The Settlement provides for payment of $2.8 million in full and final resolution of the claims of the class members, and provides for full and final releases for the benefit of Trevali and certain of its former directors who were named Defendants in the Securities Class Action.  The Settlement is not an admission of liability, wrongdoing or fault on the part of the Defendants, all of whom have denied, and continue to deny, the allegations against them.

To apply for compensation, eligible class members must complete and submit a Claim Form by 11:59 p.m. Vancouver (Pacific) time by December 4, 2025.  Please visit the website of the Claims Administrator at http://trevalisettlement.com/ for further details and instructions, and to submit a Claim Form.

The Claims Administrator in relation to this Settlement in Concilia, and it may be contacted by phone at 1-888-343-9770 or by email at trevali@conciliainc.com.  Inquiries concerning the settlement administration and claims process must be solely directed to the Claims Administrator. 

The Toronto-based law firm of KND Complex Litigation is Class Counsel.  KND Complex Litigation has significant experience representing investors and consumers in securities class actions and complex litigation in multiple jurisdictions in Canada.  Class Counsel may be contacted at c/o Sage Nematollahi, trevali@knd.law

Sage Nematollahi, KND Complex Litigation, trevali@knd.law