Rockstar Games has officially announced its acquisition of Video Games Deluxe, a game development studio located in Sydney, Australia. The studio will now operate under the name Rockstar Australia, reflecting the parent company’s ongoing strategy to enhance its global studio network. Video Games Deluxe has previously partnered with Rockstar, notably contributing to the re-release of L.A. Noire.
The Australian studio has also been involved in enhancing Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition for mobile platforms like iOS and Android, as well as for current-generation consoles. Additionally, they worked on L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files.
Transformation into Rockstar Australia
Founded in 2013 by Brendan McNamara, who served as the creative director for L.A. Noire, Video Games Deluxe has a rich history in gaming. McNamara previously established Team Bondi, the original studio behind the acclaimed detective game that drew inspiration from classic film noir. Notably, Rockstar Games had published L.A. Noire.
In a statement regarding the acquisition, Rockstar Games Head of Publishing, Jennifer Kolbe, expressed enthusiasm about welcoming Video Games Deluxe into the Rockstar family. “After working together closely over many years, we are excited to have Video Games Deluxe join the team as Rockstar Australia,” she said.
Brendan McNamara reflected on the collaboration with Rockstar over the past decade, describing it as an “honour.” He expressed excitement about being part of Rockstar Games moving forward, stating, “We are thrilled to be a part of Rockstar Games and to continue our efforts to make the best games possible.”
With this transformation, Rockstar Australia becomes a vital part of Rockstar Games’ diverse lineup of studios, which includes Rockstar Dundee, Rockstar India, and Rockstar New England, among others. The network is anchored by Rockstar North and Rockstar San Diego, the leading developers of the Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption franchises, respectively. Additionally, Rockstar owns Cfx.re, recognized for its work on mods such as FiveM and RedM for Grand Theft Auto 5 and Red Dead Redemption 2.
As the acquisition unfolds, Rockstar Games is simultaneously preparing for one of its most significant launches yet—Grand Theft Auto 6, anticipated to debut in Fall 2025 across PC, PS5, and Xbox Series S/X.
