GTA 6 Dev Rockstar Games Just Bought A Studio

Rockstar Games made a big announcement today--but it seemingly has nothing to do with GTA 6. The company announced that it has acquired the Sydney, Australia-based game developer Video Games Deluxe, a studio with ties to LA Noire. Going forward, the studio will be re-named Rockstar Australia.

Video Games Deluxe had a long history of working with Rockstar prior to this acquisition, as the studio teamed up to help co-develop LA Noire and GTA The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition. Video Games Deluxe founder Brendan McNamara previously established the Australian studio Team Bondi, which created LA Noire for Rockstar Games.

McNarmara said in a statement, "We are thrilled to be a part of Rockstar Games and to continue our efforts to make the best games possible."

Financial terms of the acquisition were not disclosed.

As for Team Bondi, the Sydney-based studio named after the iconic beach, released LA Noire in 2011 with Rockstar Games as the publisher, and it was the company's one and only release. The game was a success by some measurements, but Rockstar and Team Bondi reportedly butted heads. Team Bondi also faced allegations of "absolutely unacceptable" working conditions.

Happy Feet and Mad Max director George Mitchell's company, Kennedy Miller Mitchell, bought the rights to Team Bondi's next game, Whore of the Orient. Warner Bros. was signed on as the publisher of the project, before backing out, leading to the game's cancellation.

Rockstar's global network of development studios are understood to collaborate on big games, so it's possible Rockstar Australia is also working on GTA 6. Nothing is confirmed, however, and Rockstar is known to be one of the more secretive gaming companies. Officially speaking, there is no word on what Rockstar Australia is working on.

Rockstar's new development studio in Australia joins the company's big network of international studios. These include:

• Rockstar Dundee
• Rockstar India
• Rockstar International
• Rockstar LA
• Rockstar Leeds
• Rockstar Lincoln
• Rockstar London
• Rockstar New England
• Rockstar New York
• Rockstar North
• Rockstar San Diego
• Rockstar Toronto

GTA 6 is set for release this year on PS5 and Xbox Series X|S. It's projected to sell 40 million copies and bring in more than $3 billion in revenue during its first year. The game's first trailer was released in December 2023, and since then, Rockstar Games has not uttered a word about the game.