Rockstar Games has strategically acquired Video Games Deluxe, a Sydney-based developer, ahead of the highly anticipated GTA 6 launch. This partnership with Video Games Deluxe, who collaborated with Rockstar on The GTA Trilogy: Definitive Edition, is marked by a rebranding as Rockstar Australia.
Brendan McNamara, the director of LA Noire, is making his return to Rockstar through this acquisition. After his previous studio, Team Bondi, shuttered its doors, he founded Video Games Deluxe.
“We are thrilled to incorporate Video Games Deluxe into the Rockstar family as Rockstar Australia,” said Jennifer Kolbe, Rockstar Games’ Head of Publishing, in an official statement released by BusinessWire. Over the years, Video Games Deluxe has worked closely with Rockstar on projects like the re-release of LA Noire, its VR version, and an update to the GTA Trilogy: Definitive Edition — an update that followed initial criticism of the trilogy’s quality. This criticism was aimed largely at another studio, Grove Street Games, prompting its CEO to criticize the decision to minimize Grove Street Games’ involvement in the release.
Bringing back Brendan McNamara, who spearheaded the development of LA Noire with Team Bondi—a studio which faced controversy over working conditions before it shut down in 2011—adds an intriguing twist to this acquisition. McNamara acknowledged, “Working with Rockstar Games over the past decade has been an incredible experience. We are excited to officially join the Rockstar team and continue our quest to create exceptional games.”
While it remains uncertain if Rockstar Australia will play a role in GTA 6’s development until the game is officially released, the potential seems promising as the game edges closer to its currently scheduled fall release for consoles. As for a PC release, Rockstar has yet to disclose any information, despite some comments from a company executive causing a brief flurry of speculation among fans.
