Ahead of the much-anticipated release of GTA 6, Rockstar Games has made a strategic acquisition by bringing the Sydney-based developer Video Games Deluxe under its wing, now rebranded as Rockstar Australia. This move reunites Rockstar with Brendan McNamara, who directed LA Noire and originally founded Video Games Deluxe after moving on from the now-closed Team Bondi.
Jennifer Kolbe, head of publishing at Rockstar Games, expressed her enthusiasm in a statement released via BusinessWire. She mentioned, “After collaborating closely over several years, we’re thrilled to officially welcome Video Games Deluxe as part of the Rockstar family.”
Video Games Deluxe has previously worked alongside Rockstar on projects like the re-release of LA Noire and its VR Case Files, as well as the recent update to the GTA Trilogy: Definitive Edition. The original version of the trilogy faced substantial criticism over its quality, criticisms primarily directed at Grove Street Games. The update incited some controversy, notably when Grove Street Games’ CEO commented unfavorably on the decision to remove certain references to his company from the game.
Bringing Brendan McNamara back into the Rockstar fold is a notable element of this acquisition. McNamara, whose previous studio, Team Bondi, shut down in 2011 amid allegations of poor working conditions, expressed his excitement about joining forces with Rockstar again. “Working with Rockstar over the past decade has been an incredible experience,” McNamara stated. “Becoming Rockstar Australia marks an exciting new chapter in our shared commitment to creating groundbreaking games.”
While it’s not confirmed if Rockstar Australia will directly contribute to GTA 6, the integration seems strategically aligned with the upcoming scheduled release in the fall. However, Rockstar has remained tight-lipped about a PC release date, despite some recent back-and-forth comments from executives that sparked some speculation among gamers.
As the anticipation for GTA 6 intensifies, this acquisition might just be one of the key moves to ensure Rockstar delivers another iconic gaming experience.
