Rockstar Games has officially acquired Video Games Deluxe, the developer behind the recent upgrades to Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, and has rebranded it as Rockstar Australia. This studio has a rich history of collaboration with Rockstar, having previously worked on the 2017 re-releases of L.A. Noire and L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files, as well as the mobile, Netflix, and modern console versions of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition.
It's important to clarify that Video Games Deluxe should not be confused with Grove Street Games, which faced significant criticism for the initial poor quality of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition released in 2021. After a much-needed update addressed many of these issues, Grove Street Games' boss publicly criticized the removal of their studio from the game's credits, calling it a "d**k move." Notably, it was Video Games Deluxe that developed this critical update.
Jennifer Kolbe, Head of Publishing at Rockstar Games, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, "After working together closely over many years, we are excited to have Video Games Deluxe join the team as Rockstar Australia."
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Video Games Deluxe was founded by Brendan McNamara, who also founded Team Bondi, the original developer of L.A. Noire. McNamara's previous venture, Team Bondi, came under scrutiny in 2011 for alleged poor working conditions during the development of L.A. Noire. Following the studio's closure, McNamara maintained a lower profile until now. He shared his sentiments on the acquisition, saying, "It’s been an honor to work closely with Rockstar Games this past decade. We are thrilled to be a part of Rockstar Games and to continue our efforts to make the best games possible."
AnswerSee ResultsThe formation of Rockstar Australia is timely, occurring just before the anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto 6, scheduled for fall 2025. In December 2023, a former Rockstar developer attempted to justify the decision to release GTA 6 on PC after its initial launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X and S, urging PC gamers to trust Rockstar's strategy.
For more insights on GTA 6, you can also check out Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick's comments addressing concerns about the future of GTA Online once GTA 6 hits the market.
