- Rockstar Games has acquired Video Games Deluxe, an Australian studio it has worked with for years.
- The studio will now be called Rockstar Australia and will become part of Rockstar's structure.
- Video Games Deluxe collaborated on titles such as LA Noire and the GTA: The Trilogy update.
- It has not yet been announced what project Rockstar Australia will be working on, although he could contribute to future Rockstar titles.
Rockstar Games continues to expand its network of studios with the recent acquisition of Video Games Deluxe, a development team based in Sydney, Australia. This decision reinforces the company's strategy of strengthening its creative and production capacity in the video game industry. The purchase of this studio is framed in a context where the company is expected to expand its reach by 20% Most anticipated releases of 2025 set a new course for the sector.
The studio will acquire a new name and will be called Rockstar Australia, fully integrating itself into the company's structure. Video Games Deluxe has previously worked on a few Rockstar projects, which has facilitated this natural transition.
A relationship of years is consolidated
Video Games Deluxe has collaborated with Rockstar on key projects over the last decade. Among them, its participation in the development of LA Noire: The VR Case Files and in the reissues of LA Noire for modern consoles. More recently, the studio helped improve Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition after its criticized launch, taking charge of adapting the collection to mobile devices and platforms like Netflix.
Rockstar Games Publishing Director Jennifer Kolbe expressed her excitement about the acquisition: “After working together for many years, we are thrilled to have Video Games Deluxe join our family as Rockstar Australia.”
For his part, Brendan McNamara, founder of the studio, also shared his satisfaction with this change: “It has been an honor to work closely with Rockstar Games over the years. We are excited to be part of the company and to continue striving to offer the best possible solutions for the game.” best games possible». This context is especially relevant, given that Rockstar has been expanding its vision towards new technologies, as mentioned in our coverage on artificial intelligence in video games.
The legacy of Brendan McNamara and Team Bondi
Brendan McNamara has been associated with Rockstar for years. He was the director of LA Noire and the founder of Team Bondi, the original studio behind the game. Following the closure of Team Bondi, McNamara created Video Games Deluxe in 2013, continuing his relationship with Rockstar by expanding LA Noire on modern platforms and exploring the virtual reality within The VR Case Files.
Interestingly, McNamara was also responsible for a cancelled project called The Whore of the Orient, ambitious open world game which never saw the light of day. Although this title never came to fruition, its legacy lives on in the way developers approach innovative projects in the sector. This contrasts with the growing importance of video game classes and genres that are reshaping the industry.
What will Rockstar Australia be working on?
Despite the acquisition, Rockstar Games has not revealed what plans it has for Rockstar AustraliaSome analysts speculate that the study could play a key role in the finalization of Grand Theft Auto VI, which is still scheduled for release in 2025. There is also the possibility that he will continue to collaborate on the optimization of existing games or in future adaptations in virtual reality.
Another option is for Rockstar Australia to continue improving GTA: The Trilogy or take part in remasters of other iconic titles from the Rockstar catalogue, such as Max Payne o bully. The constant evolution of the video games, as detailed in our article on video game ratings, is also an essential factor that influences the development of these games.
Although the financial details of the transaction are unknown, the incorporation of a experienced team in adapting and improving Rockstar titles seems to be a strategic move to strengthen its development capacity. With Grand Theft Auto VI on the horizon and other projects in the works, the creation of Rockstar Australia could allow the company to tackle more initiatives simultaneously without compromising its signature quality.
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