Rockstar has recently acquired Video Games Deluxe, the developer behind Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, and has rebranded it as Rockstar Australia. This studio has a long-standing relationship with Rockstar, having collaborated on several projects, including 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 iOS, Android, Netflix, and modern consoles.
It's important not to confuse Video Games Deluxe with Grove Street Games, which faced significant backlash for the initial poor quality of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition in 2021. Grove Street Games' leader publicly criticized their removal from the game's credits following a major update that resolved many of the issues, an update developed by Video Games Deluxe.
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 also founded Team Bondi, the original developer of L.A. Noire. McNamara's career took a hit in 2011 when allegations of poor working conditions at Team Bondi surfaced, leading to the studio's closure. Since then, McNamara has maintained a low profile until this recent acquisition.
McNamara expressed his gratitude for the partnership, 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.”
The establishment of Rockstar Australia comes at a pivotal time, just ahead of the much-anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6, slated for fall 2025. In related news, a former Rockstar developer in December 2023 explained the decision to release GTA 6 on consoles before PC, urging PC gamers to trust in Rockstar's strategy. Additionally, Take-Two's CEO Strauss Zelnick addressed concerns regarding the future of GTA Online with the upcoming release of GTA 6.
For more insights and updates on GTA 6, keep an eye on our coverage.
