GTA 6 Publisher Rockstar Games Acquires Studio Ahead of Release
As the gaming world waits for the Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA 6) launch, Rockstar Games has made a move with expected plans of strengthening its development capabilities. The company has recently announced a Sydney-based studio acquisition. The acquisition has been made at a crucial time as Rockstar continues to prepare for history’s highly ambitious and most anticipated game launch.
With GTA 6 set to release in late 2025, the addition signals the commitment of the company to deliver a ground-breaking and polished experience.
GTA 6 Publisher Announced Acquisition ahead of the release of GTA 6
Rockstar Games recently announced acquiring Video Games Deluxe, which now operates under the name Rockstar Australia. The acquisition marks the strategic step to bolster the global network of studios.
Known for its work on Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition and L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files, Brendan McNamara founded Video Games Deluxe and has a history of collaboration with Rockstar Games. McNamara, who’s the creative mind behind the L.A. Noire, the studio has consistently delivered quality, particularly in remastering and optimization of Rockstar's titles.
Jennifer Kolbe, Rockstar Games’ Head of Publishing, said in the press release, "After working together closely over many years, we are excited to have Video Games Deluxe join the team as Rockstar Australia."
Even McNamara expressed enthusiasm for the acquisition of Video Games Deluxe. She said it has been an honor to work so closely with the Rockstar Games in the last decade and that all are thrilled to be a part of the team, where they get to continue putting in effort and build the best games possible.
While Rockstar Games didn’t explicitly state what Rockstar Australia will work on, it has been speculated by the fans that the studio will play a key role in the development as well as the post-launch support for GTA 6. Given the expertise of the studio with remastering and also game optimization, it is highly likely that Rockstar Australia will contribute to ensure that the game, on different platforms runs smoothly.
Rockstar and Video Games Deluxe: Collaboration and Excellence History
Rockstar Games and Video Games Deluxe's relationship dates back to L.A. Noire’s development. The title was originally created by Team Bondi, McNamara’s previous studio. Despite the game’s success, Team Bondi faced many allegations relating to the game’s poor working conditions. It in 2011 led to the studio closing. It was then McNamara founded Video Games Deluxe, and led the studio to have continued collaboration with Rockstar Games on certain projects, including mobile ports of GTA: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition and L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files.
The work of the studio on the GTA Trilogy is particularly noteworthy. After the remastered trilogy's initial release in 2021 met widespread criticism due to performance concerns and bugs, the Video Games Deluxe stepped in to improve the game. The efforts resulted in a stable and polished version of the game, earning them the reputation for fixer and enhancer of Rockstar’s titles.
What Does the Acquisition Mean for GTA 6?
Video Games Deluxe acquisition is a clear indication that Rockstar is leaving none of no stone unturned in its quest to deliver a flawless GTA 6 experience. As the game is expected to be a technically ambitious and advanced title in the series, having a dedicated studio to handle the updates and support is important. Rockstar Australia is likely to assist with optimizing the game for the multiple platforms, ensuring a smoother launch and addressing post-release concerns.
Given GTA 6's scale, which is set in modern-day, sprawling Vice City and features the female protagonist for 1st time in its series, this game will need significant resources to meet fans' higher expectations. Rockstar Australia's addition to the global network of studios of Rockstar ensures the company has the expertise and manpower to deliver the game that lives up to the hype.
Rockstar Games and its Road to GTA 6
Since the first GTA 6 trailer release in December 2023, that garnered approx. 93 million views in just 24 hours, the fans have been awaiting eagerly more news on the game. As confirmed by the trailer, the game is set in Vice City, Miami’s fictionalized version, and it will feature the female protagonist for 1st time in its series. However, the details on features, gameplay, and the exact release date are still under wraps.
Rockstar’s parent company, Take-Two Interactive, confirmed GTA 6 to be on track. As per the company, it’s expected to have a 2025 Fall release. However, given the project's scale, delays are a possibility. The Video Games Deluxe acquisition suggests that Rockstar is taking precautions to ensure the game can meet its lofty ambitions.
Rockstar Games and its Legacy of Ground-breaking Titles
Rockstar Games has a long history of delivering some ground-breaking titles. From the Grand Theft Auto to the Red Dead Redemption, it has given its best. Adding Video Games Deluxe to Rockstar Games studios now solidifies the position of the company as the gaming market leader. With GTA 6 poised to be the gaming history’s significant release, the acquisition is a highly strategic move to ensure the upcoming game lives up to the fans' expectations.
With fans continuing to speculate about what GTA 6 will bring, one thing that remains certain is that Rockstar is pulling all the stops to deliver the game, which will redefine open-world gaming. The Video Games Deluxe acquisition is just its latest step in the journey. It signals exciting times ahead for the fans and the company alike.
Final Words
The acquisition of Video Games Deluxe by Rockstar Games and its rebranding as Rockstar Australia was a significant development before the release of GTA 6. As the studio has a proven track record of optimizing and enhancing the titles of Rockstar, the move ensures GTA 6 will be in capable hands. As for the rest, Rockstar, in the quest to deliver landmark titles, will soon set new standards within the gaming industry.
