Rockstar Games has officially acquired Video Games Deluxe, the developer behind Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, and has rebranded it as Rockstar Australia. This move solidifies a long-standing partnership between the two companies, which has seen them collaborate on several projects, including the 2017 re-releases of L.A. Noire and L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files, as well as recent enhancements to Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition for iOS, Android, Netflix, and modern consoles.

It's important to distinguish Video Games Deluxe from Grove Street Games, which faced backlash for the substandard initial release of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition in 2021. The latter's executive criticized their exclusion from the credits after a significant update, which was actually developed by Video Games Deluxe, resolved the game's issues.

Jennifer Kolbe, Head of Publishing at Rockstar Games, 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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16 ImagesVideo Games Deluxe was founded by Brendan McNamara, who previously established Team Bondi, the developer of L.A. Noire. In 2011, Team Bondi faced severe criticism for alleged poor working conditions during the development of L.A. Noire. The studio eventually shut down, and McNamara maintained a low profile until now. He commented on the acquisition, saying, "It’s been an honor to work closely with Rockstar Games this past decade. We are thrilled to be a part of Rockstar Games and to continue our efforts to make the best games possible."

The establishment of Rockstar Australia is timely, as it precedes the anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6 in the fall of 2025. Amidst this, a former Rockstar developer in December 2023 provided insight into why GTA 6 will first launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X and S before coming to PC, urging PC gamers to remain patient and trust in Rockstar's strategy.

For more updates on GTA 6, including comments from Take-Two's Strauss Zelnick regarding the future of GTA Online post-GTA 6 launch, stay tuned.