Rockstar Games is gearing up for the upcoming release of GTA 6 by making a strategic acquisition. They’ve welcomed Sydney-based developer Video Games Deluxe into their ranks, rebranding it as Rockstar Australia. This isn’t the first time these two have partnered up—they collaborated on The GTA Trilogy: Definitive Edition.
Interestingly, this move also marks the return of Brendan McNamara to Rockstar. McNamara, notable for his role as the director of LA Noire, started Video Games Deluxe after his departure from Team Bondi, which is now defunct.
“We couldn’t be more thrilled to have Video Games Deluxe join us as Rockstar Australia,” shared Jennifer Kolbe, Rockstar Games’ head of publishing, in an official press release featured on BusinessWire. Over the years, Video Games Deluxe has been involved in 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. This update came on the heels of criticism aimed at the original version for its quality issues—a move that led to a bit of controversy involving Grove Street Games, who initially worked on the project.
The acquisition not only signifies a renewed partnership with McNamara but also stirs memories of Team Bondi’s closure in 2011, amidst allegations of unfavorable working conditions. McNamara, at the time, addressed these allegations.
Reflecting on the acquisition, McNamara expressed his enthusiasm: “It’s been an incredible journey working with Rockstar Games over the past decade. We’re excited to officially become part of Rockstar, continuing to strive for excellence in our games.”
While it’s not confirmed if Rockstar Australia will play a direct role in developing GTA 6, the integration seems logical, especially with the game’s anticipated release window fast approaching. Although set for consoles first, the details on a PC release remain under wraps after a recent hiccup in communication by a company executive. The community is buzzing with anticipation, and time will tell how these strategic moves influence the game’s rollout.
