LA Noire Director Rejoins Rockstar with Studio Acquisition of GTA Trilogy Developer, Now Rockstar Australia, Before GTA 6 Release

Rockstar Games is making strategic moves ahead of the highly anticipated GTA 6 release by acquiring Sydney-based developer Video Games Deluxe. This studio was notably involved in The GTA Trilogy: Definitive Edition, and with this acquisition, it will operate under the new name, Rockstar Australia.

This deal also marks the return of Brendan McNamara, the director behind LA Noire, to Rockstar’s roster. After leaving the now-defunct Team Bondi, McNamara established Video Games Deluxe, which has now found a new home under the Rockstar umbrella.

Jennifer Kolbe, Rockstar Games’ head of publishing, expressed excitement about the acquisition in a statement to BusinessWire. “After working together closely over many years, we are excited to have Video Games Deluxe join the team as Rockstar Australia,” she remarked.

Over the years, Video Games Deluxe has teamed up with Rockstar on projects like the re-release of LA Noire, its VR Case Files, and more recently, the GTA Trilogy: Definitive Edition update. This update came after the original release faced criticism for its quality, with most of the backlash directed at another studio, Grove Street Games. The controversy even led to Grove Street Games’ CEO suggesting that the removal of some of their mentions from the game was, in his words, a “dick move.”

Bringing Video Games Deluxe into the fold not only reunites Rockstar with Brendan McNamara but also signals a fresh chapter for both parties. Team Bondi, under McNamara’s leadership, closed back in 2011 amid reports of challenging working conditions. McNamara addressed these allegations at the time.

Reflecting on the acquisition, McNamara expressed his enthusiasm. “It’s been an honor to work closely with Rockstar Games this past decade,” he said. “We are thrilled to be a part of Rockstar Games and to continue our efforts to make the best games possible.”

While it remains uncertain if Rockstar Australia will directly contribute to GTA 6’s development, the partnership seems like a strategic fit, particularly with the game expected to hit consoles in the fall. As for a PC release, Rockstar hasn’t confirmed any dates, and recent speculative comments from a company executive were quickly retracted, leaving hardcore fans still in the dark.