Rockstar Buys Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition Developer, Renames It 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 strong 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 the significant upgrades to Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition for iOS, Android, Netflix, and current-gen consoles. This acquisition distinguishes it from Grove Street Games, whose work on the initial 2021 release of the trilogy faced considerable criticism. Video Games Deluxe, however, developed the update that addressed many of the original game's issues.

"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.

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Video Games Deluxe was founded by Brendan McNamara, also the founder of Team Bondi, the studio behind L.A. Noire. Following allegations of challenging 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 over the past decade," McNamara commented on the acquisition. "We're excited to join the Rockstar Games team and continue creating exceptional gaming experiences."

The formation of Rockstar Australia precedes the anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto 6, currently slated for Fall 2025. In December 2023, a former Rockstar developer offered insight into the PC release timeline for GTA 6, following its PS5 and Xbox Series X|S launch, urging PC gamers to remain patient. Further updates regarding GTA 6, including Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick's response to concerns about GTA Online's future after GTA 6's release, are also available.