Rockstar has recently acquired Video Games Deluxe, the developer behind Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, and has rebranded it as Rockstar Australia. Video Games Deluxe has a longstanding collaboration with Rockstar, having worked on projects such as the 2017 re-releases of L.A. Noire and L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files, as well as recent enhancements for Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition across iOS, Android, Netflix, and modern consoles.
It's important not to mix up Video Games Deluxe with Grove Street Games, which faced significant criticism for the substandard quality of the initial release of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition in 2021. Grove Street Games was notably removed from the credits after a much-anticipated update that addressed these issues, which was developed by Video Games Deluxe. The head of Grove Street Games described the removal as a "d**k move."
Jennifer Kolbe, Rockstar Games' Head of Publishing, expressed enthusiasm about the acquisition, stating, "After working together closely over many years, we are excited to have Video Games Deluxe join the team as Rockstar Australia."
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Video Games Deluxe was established by Brendan McNamara, the founder of Team Bondi, known for developing L.A. Noire. In 2011, Team Bondi faced allegations of terrible working conditions, which led to its eventual closure. McNamara has kept a low profile since then but expressed his honor in working with Rockstar over the past decade. He is eager to continue contributing to the creation of exceptional games as part of Rockstar Games.
The acquisition of Video Games Deluxe and its transformation into Rockstar Australia is timely, as it occurs just before the anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto 6, scheduled for fall 2025. In December 2023, a former Rockstar developer tried to clarify why GTA 6 will first be released on PS5 and Xbox Series X and S before coming to PC, urging PC gamers to trust the studio's strategy.
For more information on GTA 6, you can explore Take-Two's CEO Strauss Zelnick's comments on the future of GTA Online post-GTA 6 release.
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