Rockstar Expands Its Horizon by Acquiring Video Games Deluxe in Australia
By Brand by Rockstar / Photo by Unsplash
Notable Grand Theft Auto creator Rockstar Games has acquired the Australian studio Video Games Deluxe.
The studio, primarily located in Sydney, may be rebranded as Rockstar Australia.
Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive, announced the acquisition on its website and highlighted the previous collaborations of the two studios on various projects.
“Video Games Deluxe has collaborated with Rockstar Games on many of its iconic titles, including the 2017 re-releases of L.A. Noire, L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files, and most recently, enhancements for Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition for iOS and Android, Netflix, and the latest consoles,” states a press release.
Brendan McNamara, the founder of Video Games Deluxe, previously collaborated with Rockstar during his tenure at Team Bondi on the original version of L.A. Noire.
“It has been a privilege to work closely with Rockstar Games over the last ten years,” McNamara said. “We are excited to join Rockstar Games and continue our mission to create exceptional games.”
Currently, Rockstar and Take-Two are preparing to unveil GTA VI in fall 2025.
This eagerly awaited sequel will arrive more than ten years after the release of GTA V, which remains a significant revenue generator for Take-Two thanks to the multiplayer component, GTA Online.
GTA V has sold over 210 million copies globally.
In its latest financial report, Take-Two stated that it anticipates the release of GTA VI to become a major “turning point” for its business.
About the Author
News Editor, GameDeveloper.com
Game Developer news editor Chris Kerr is an award-winning journalist with more than ten years of experience in the gaming industry. His work has been featured in prominent print and digital outlets including Edge, Stuff, Wireframe, Global Commerce Times, and PocketGamer.biz. Throughout his career, Chris has covered major industry events such as GDC, PAX Australia, Gamescom, Paris Games Week, and the Brighton Game Festival. He has served as a judge for The Game Star Awards and has appeared on BBC Radio 5 Live to discuss breaking news.