Rockstar Games has recently acquired Video Games Deluxe, the developer behind Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, and has rebranded it as Rockstar Australia. This move marks a significant milestone for Video Games Deluxe, which has a history of collaborating closely with Rockstar on several projects. These include 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 note that Video Games Deluxe should not be mistaken for Grove Street Games, which faced criticism for the initial poor quality of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition released in 2021. Grove Street Games' boss had expressed frustration over being excluded from the credits following a subsequent update that addressed the game's issues, which was actually developed by Video Games Deluxe.

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.”

Video Games Deluxe was founded by Brendan McNamara, who also founded Team Bondi, the original developer of L.A. Noire. McNamara had kept a low profile since Team Bondi's closure in 2011, following allegations of poor working conditions during L.A. Noire's development. McNamara 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 comes ahead of the anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto 6 in the fall of 2025. In December 2023, a former Rockstar developer discussed the decision to release GTA 6 on PC after its launch on PS5 and Xbox Series X and S, urging PC gamers to trust the studio's plans.

For more insights on GTA 6, including comments from Take-Two boss Strauss Zelnick regarding the future of GTA Online post-GTA 6 release, stay tuned.

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