Rockstar Games has made headlines this week with the announcement of its acquisition of the Sydney-based game development studio Video Games Deluxe, following their successful collaborations on several popular titles. This strategic move, which occurred on Tuesday, reflects Rockstar's commitment to strengthening its development capabilities as it prepares for future projects, including the much-anticipated Grand Theft Auto VI.
The acquisition was revealed through a press release where Rockstar expressed pride at bringing Video Games Deluxe under its umbrella, rebranding it as Rockstar Australia. This aligns with Rockstar's previous practices of renaming studios based on their location, as seen with the purchase of motion capture specialists Standard Deviation, which became Rockstar LA.
Video Games Deluxe has established its reputation by working closely with Rockstar on various ported titles, with notable projects including the re-release of L.A. Noire, the immersive L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files, and enhancements to the GTA Trilogy Definitive Edition. Their work has been received positively, especially after they rectified several controversies surrounding earlier efforts by another studio to handle the GTA remasters. Following those high-profile projects, Video Games Deluxe announced last July their exclusivity to Rockstar's projects, signaling the growing partnership.
At the forefront of this acquisition is Rockstar's Head of Publishing, Jennifer Kolbe, who noted, "After working together closely over many years, we are excited to have Video Games Deluxe join the team as Rockstar Australia. Rockstar Games’ relationship with the Video Games Deluxe team began with founder Brendan McNamara’s former studio, Team Bondi, and the creation of the critically acclaimed and groundbreaking detective thriller, L.A. Noire.” This statement mirrors the sentiment within Video Games Deluxe, where founder Brendan McNamara expressed his enthusiasm: "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 joint history between Rockstar and Video Games Deluxe draws back to Team Bondi's L.A. Noire, highlighting the seamless integration of the two companies and their shared vision for game development. With Video Games Deluxe now officially part of Rockstar, many speculate what projects might emerge next from the newly minted Rockstar Australia.
Looking forward, there's growing anticipation surrounding the arrival of GTA VI, which is slated for release in fall 2025. The new game, which follows the record-breaking GTA V—the best-selling game ever, with over 210 million copies sold worldwide—is expected to serve as a pivotal moment for Rockstar and parent company Take-Two Interactive. Take-Two has referred to the launch of GTA VI as a major "inflection point" for its business, underlining the importance of this franchise to the company's future.
The excitement for the next installment has been building steadily, particularly since GTA V's enduring success, driven largely by its multiplayer component, GTA Online. With the framework set out by previous titles, and now bolstered by the expertise of Video Games Deluxe, Rockstar is poised to deliver something exceptional.
Industry insiders are speculating whether Rockstar Australia will play an integral role in aiding the development of GTA VI, similar to how all of Rockstar's internal studios are contributing to the project. Given the studio’s history of quality work and commitment to excellence within the gaming community, this could lead to exciting developments as the gaming world eagerly awaits new announcements.
For now, fans can only speculate about the potential collaborations and projects on the horizon for Rockstar Australia, previously known as Video Games Deluxe. The acquisition not only signifies growth for Rockstar but also promises new opportunities for innovation and creativity within the studio.