Rockstar Acquires GTA Trilogy Developer, Forms Rockstar Australia

Rockstar Games has acquired Video Games Deluxe, the developer behind Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, renaming it Rockstar Australia. Video Games Deluxe boasts a history of collaboration with Rockstar, contributing to the 2017 re-releases of L.A. Noire and L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files, and most recently, spearheading crucial upgrades for Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition across iOS, Android, Netflix, and modern consoles. This acquisition distinguishes Rockstar from Grove Street Games, the original developer of the trilogy whose troubled launch in 2021 resulted in significant criticism. Video Games Deluxe, however, developed the update that addressed many of the initial issues, a fact highlighted by the controversy surrounding Grove Street Games' removal from the game's credits.

"After a long and successful partnership, we're thrilled to welcome Video Games Deluxe to the Rockstar family as Rockstar Australia," stated Jennifer Kolbe, Head of Publishing at Rockstar Games.

Every GTA Game Ranked

16 Images

Video Games Deluxe was founded by Brendan McNamara, the founder of Team Bondi, the studio behind L.A. Noire. Following allegations of poor working conditions at Team Bondi during L.A. Noire's development in 2011, the studio ultimately closed. McNamara has since maintained a lower profile until this recent announcement.

"It's been an honor collaborating with Rockstar Games for the past decade," McNamara commented on the acquisition. "We're excited to officially join the Rockstar Games team and continue creating exceptional gaming experiences."

The establishment of Rockstar Australia precedes the anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto VI, currently slated for Fall 2025. In December 2023, a former Rockstar developer offered insight into the staggered PC release, urging patience from PC gamers. Further details surrounding GTA VI, including Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick's comments on the future of GTA Online, are also available.