Rockstar Games has officially acquired Video Games Deluxe, the developer behind Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, and rebranded it as Rockstar Australia. This studio, led by Brendan McNamara, has a rich history of collaboration with Rockstar, including the 2017 re-releases of L.A. Noire and its VR counterpart, as well as recent enhancements to Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition across iOS, Android, Netflix, and modern consoles.
It's crucial to distinguish Video Games Deluxe from Grove Street Games, the latter having faced significant backlash for the initial subpar release of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition in 2021. Grove Street Games' leader publicly criticized their exclusion from the credits following a much-needed update, which was actually 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.”
Brendan McNamara, who also founded L.A. Noire's developer Team Bondi, reflected on the past challenges and his journey, mentioning the difficult working conditions reported at Team Bondi during L.A. Noire's development. Despite these hurdles, McNamara has maintained a low profile since Team Bondi's closure. He shared his sentiments on the acquisition, 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.”
This strategic move by Rockstar comes as anticipation builds for the release of Grand Theft Auto 6, slated for fall 2025. The acquisition of Video Games Deluxe not only strengthens Rockstar's development capabilities but also aligns with their preparations for the upcoming blockbuster.
In related news, a former Rockstar developer in December 2023 tried to shed light on why GTA 6 will launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X and S before arriving on PC, urging PC gamers to remain patient and supportive of the studio's release strategy. Additionally, Take-Two's CEO, Strauss Zelnick, has addressed concerns about the future of GTA Online once GTA 6 hits the market.
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