GTA 6 developer Rockstar Games has acquired a Sydney-based development studio, Video Games Deluxe. This studio, which has collaborated with Rockstar on several projects, will be renamed as Rockstar Australia. The studio contributed to notable titles such as the 2017 re-releases of LA Noire, LA Noire: The VR Case Files, and recent upgrades to Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition for iPhones, Android, Netflix and other modern consoles.
Rockstar Games' connection with the Video Games Deluxe team dates back to the studio founder Brendan McNamara's previous venture, Team Bondi, which developed the influential detective thriller, LA Noire. With this acquisition, Rockstar will be able to expand its global development network and strengthen its capacity to enhance its popular game franchises.
What Rockstar said about this acquisition
Commenting on the acquisition, Jennifer Kolbe, Rockstar Games Head of Publishing said: “After working together closely over many years, we are excited to have Video Games Deluxe join the team as Rockstar Australia.”
Meanwhile, Video Games Deluxe founder McNamara said: “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.”
How this acquisition may help Rockstar
Video Game Deluxe is expected to work as a support studio that will likely help in the company's development of the highly-anticipated GTA 6.
GTA 6 is scheduled for a Fall (autumn) 2025 launch, however, it is not expected to be released before September 23. Take-Two will be launching Borderlands 4 on this day and may ensure that the two major titles do not launch too close together.
Rockstar has not yet shared any details about the second trailer for GTA 6, which will initially launch exclusively on Xbox and PlayStation consoles. A PC version is also expected to be released later.