Rockstar buys GTA Trilogy dev, renames it Rockstar Australia

Rockstar has officially acquired Video Games Deluxe, the studio behind Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, and rebranded it as Rockstar Australia.

The Sydney-based studio has an established history of collaborating with Rockstar, having contributed to projects including the 2017 re-releases of L.A. Noire, its VR adaptation L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files, and most recently the mobile and Netflix versions of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition.

This acquisition distinguishes Video Games Deluxe from Grove Street Games, which faced criticism for the initial problematic launch of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition in 2021. Video Games Deluxe later developed the quality-improving updates that addressed those concerns.

"After working together closely over many years, we are excited to have Video Games Deluxe join the team as Rockstar Australia," said Rockstar Games Head of Publishing Jennifer Kolbe.

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Video Games Deluxe was founded by Brendan McNamara, previously of Team Bondi (the studio behind L.A. Noire). The acquisition marks McNamara's return to prominence following Team Bondi's controversial closure in 2011 after reports of difficult working conditions during L.A. Noire's development.

"It's been an honor to work closely with Rockstar Games this past decade," McNamara stated regarding the acquisition. "We are thrilled to be part of Rockstar Games and to continue our efforts to make the best games possible."

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This strategic expansion precedes the anticipated fall 2025 launch of Grand Theft Auto 6. In December 2023, a former Rockstar developer addressed concerns about GTA 6's delayed PC release, requesting understanding from the PC gaming community regarding the staggered platform rollout.

For more GTA 6 coverage, including Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick's comments about GTA Online's future alongside the new release, stay tuned to our continued reporting.