Rockstar Games has officially acquired Video Games Deluxe, the developer behind Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, and has rebranded it as Rockstar Australia. This move marks a significant milestone in their long-standing collaboration, which includes projects like the 2017 re-releases of L.A. Noire and L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files, as well as recent enhancements to Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition for various platforms including iOS, Android, Netflix, and modern consoles.
It's important to distinguish Video Games Deluxe from Grove Street Games, which faced backlash for the initial poor quality of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition in 2021. After a much-anticipated update that resolved these issues, Grove Street Games' leader criticized their exclusion from the credits as a "d**k move." Video Games Deluxe, on the other hand, was responsible for developing this crucial update.
Jennifer Kolbe, Rockstar Games' Head of Publishing, 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 previously founded Team Bondi, the developer of L.A. Noire. McNamara's career took a hit in 2011 when allegations of terrible working conditions at Team Bondi surfaced online, leading to the studio's closure. Since then, McNamara has maintained a low profile until this recent acquisition.
In response to 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 aligns with the upcoming release of Grand Theft Auto 6, scheduled for fall 2025. In December 2023, a former Rockstar developer discussed 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 the studio's strategy.
For more insights on GTA 6, including comments from Take-Two's CEO Strauss Zelnick regarding the future of GTA Online post-GTA 6 launch, stay tuned.
