Rockstar Games has officially acquired Video Games Deluxe, the developer behind the acclaimed updates to Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition. The studio has been renamed Rockstar Australia, marking a significant expansion for Rockstar Games. This move comes after years of successful collaboration between the two companies on projects like the 2017 re-releases of L.A. Noire, L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files, and the recent enhancements to Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy for various platforms including iOS, Android, Netflix, and modern consoles.
It's important to distinguish Video Games Deluxe from Grove Street Games, which faced criticism for the initial release of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition in 2021. Grove Street Games' exclusion from the credits of the subsequent update, which fixed many of the game's issues, was described by its CEO as a "dick move". However, it was Video Games Deluxe that developed the successful update that improved the game significantly.
Jennifer Kolbe, Head of Publishing at Rockstar Games, expressed excitement 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 studio, Team Bondi, faced allegations of poor working conditions during the development of L.A. Noire in 2011, which led to its closure. Since then, McNamara has maintained a low profile until now.
Commenting on the acquisition, McNamara said, "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."
The establishment of Rockstar Australia is timely, as it precedes the highly anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6, slated for fall 2025. In related news, a former Rockstar developer in December 2023 attempted to clarify why GTA 6 will launch on consoles before PC, urging PC gamers to remain patient and trust the studio's strategy.
For more insights on GTA 6, including comments from Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick on the future of GTA Online post-GTA 6 release, stay tuned to our coverage.
