Rockstar Buys Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition Developer, Renames It Rockstar Australia

Rockstar Games has acquired Video Games Deluxe, the developer behind Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, renaming it Rockstar Australia. Video Games Deluxe boasts a history of collaboration with Rockstar, contributing to the 2017 re-releases of L.A. Noire and L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files, and more recently, overseeing crucial upgrades for Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition across iOS, Android, Netflix, and modern consoles. This acquisition distinguishes Rockstar from Grove Street Games, the original developer of the trilogy, which faced criticism for the initial game's quality issues in 2021. Video Games Deluxe, however, developed the update that addressed these issues.

"After a long and successful partnership, we're thrilled to welcome Video Games Deluxe to the Rockstar family as Rockstar Australia," stated Jennifer Kolbe, Head of Publishing at Rockstar Games.

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Video Games Deluxe was founded by Brendan McNamara, the founder of Team Bondi, the studio behind L.A. Noire. Following allegations of challenging working conditions at Team Bondi during L.A. Noire's development in 2011, the studio ultimately closed. McNamara subsequently maintained a lower profile until this recent acquisition.

"It's been an honor collaborating with Rockstar Games over the past decade," McNamara shared in a statement. "We're excited to officially join Rockstar Games and continue creating exceptional gaming experiences."

The formation of Rockstar Australia precedes the anticipated launch of Grand Theft Auto VI, currently slated for Fall 2025. In December 2023, a former Rockstar developer offered insight into the staggered PC release, urging PC gamers to remain patient. Further updates on GTA VI, including Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnick's comments regarding the future of GTA Online, are also available.