In the world of gaming, Rockstar Games is making waves with a strategic acquisition just as GTA 6 is on the horizon. They’ve brought Sydney-based developer Video Games Deluxe into their fold, renaming it Rockstar Australia. This isn’t just about expanding their portfolio; it’s also about rekindling a familiar partnership. Brendan McNamara, well-known as the director of LA Noire, is back under the Rockstar umbrella. McNamara initially set up Video Games Deluxe after his previous studio, Team Bondi, shut down.
In a statement shared via BusinessWire, Jennifer Kolbe, Rockstar Games’ head of publishing, expressed excitement about the acquisition, highlighting the longstanding collaboration between the two teams. Fans of Rockstar will remember their joint efforts on several projects, such as the re-release of LA Noire and its VR Case Files. More recently, they’ve worked together on updating the GTA Trilogy: Definitive Edition, a necessary move after its original release faced criticism for subpar quality. Grove Street Games, the original developer, bore the brunt of this backlash, leading to some tensions involving the removal of Grove Street’s mentions.
The acquisition also means that Brendan McNamara, the creative mind behind LA Noire, returns to Rockstar following Team Bondi’s closure back in 2011. That studio faced scrutiny over reportedly harsh working conditions and intense crunch culture, issues McNamara responded to publicly during that period.
Reflecting on the acquisition, McNamara remarked, “It’s been an honor working closely with Rockstar Games over the past decade. Joining them as Rockstar Australia excites us, and we look forward to pushing forward and creating top-notch games.”
As for GTA 6, it’s still up in the air whether Rockstar Australia will play a direct role. However, given the game’s anticipated release in the fall for consoles, it wouldn’t be surprising if they are involved. Currently, though, Rockstar remains tight-lipped about a PC release, despite some intriguing but quickly retracted comments from one of their executives. For now, gamers are eagerly watching and waiting for more news.
