Rockstar Games is making moves ahead of the much-anticipated GTA 6 by acquiring Video Games Deluxe, a Sydney-based developer they worked alongside on The GTA Trilogy: Definitive Edition. With this acquisition, the developer will be rebranded as Rockstar Australia.
This decision marks the return of Brendan McNamara, the former director of LA Noire, to Rockstar. McNamara, who originally founded Video Games Deluxe after leaving Team Bondi, reenters the Rock Star fold with this acquisition.
“We are thrilled to welcome Video Games Deluxe to the Rockstar family as Rockstar Australia,” said Jennifer Kolbe, head of publishing at Rockstar Games, in a statement released through BusinessWire. This partnership has been strong for years, and now it’s even stronger.
Video Games Deluxe has previously collaborated with Rockstar on a variety of projects, including the re-release of LA Noire, its VR Case Files, and most recently an update to the GTA Trilogy: Definitive Edition. The original version of the trilogy faced heavy criticism for its quality, a situation that placed the blame on another studio, Grove Street Games. This controversy even led Grove Street’s CEO to express discontent over the removal of their mentions from the game’s credits, calling it a “dick move.”
Along with the acquisition, McNamara’s return to Rockstar is notable. The closure of Team Bondi in 2011 came amidst allegations of tough working conditions which McNamara addressed during that time.
Expressing his excitement, McNamara commented on the development: “Working closely with Rockstar Games over the past decade has been an honour. Being a part of Rockstar Games now fills us with excitement, and we’re eager to continue creating exceptional games.”
Whether Rockstar Australia will play a role in developing GTA 6 remains uncertain until the game is officially released. Given the timing, it wouldn’t be surprising if they contribute, especially considering the fall release window that is currently slated for consoles. However, as of now, Rockstar has not provided any updates regarding the PC release, despite some sparks of speculation from company executives.
