Video Games Deluxe Joins Rockstar Games
OPla G
3 Mar 17:20
17
0It has been officially announced that Rockstar Games has acquired Video Games Deluxe, a studio based in Sydney, Australia. The studio will be renamed Rockstar Australia, becoming the 12th active branch of R*. The terms of the deal have not been disclosed.
Jennifer Kolbe, Head of Publishing at Rockstar Games:
In 2013, Video Games Deluxe was established. Old connections proved useful, and VGD began adapting its old creation for virtual reality. In December 2017, L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files was released. After the Australians took on another Rockstar Games project, things stalled. Later, they had to deny rumors about a spiritual successor to their magnum opus.
Nevertheless, the developers resurfaced when needed most — to save GTA: Trilogy — Definitive Edition. And they succeeded. First with the mobile release, and then with the other versions.
What they will be working on in Sydney now is unclear. There was speculation that the small team (fewer than 10 employees), which doesn’t even have its own website (only a LinkedIn), might continue improving the Trilogy remaster. However, in light of their full integration with the creators of GTA 6, they could be assigned entirely new tasks.
Jennifer Kolbe, Head of Publishing at Rockstar Games:
After working together closely over many years, we are excited to have Video Games Deluxe join the team as Rockstar Australia.Brendan McNamara, Head of Video Games Deluxe:
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.The history of VGD began long before its official founding, with the creation of Team Bondi 22 years ago. The studio brought the world L.A. Noire. McNamara and his team intended to create their next game, Whore of the Orient, but this never materialized. Shortly after the release of the noir detective game, problems arose, including with their publisher, R*. The studio was first sold and then disbanded.
In 2013, Video Games Deluxe was established. Old connections proved useful, and VGD began adapting its old creation for virtual reality. In December 2017, L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files was released. After the Australians took on another Rockstar Games project, things stalled. Later, they had to deny rumors about a spiritual successor to their magnum opus.
What they will be working on in Sydney now is unclear. There was speculation that the small team (fewer than 10 employees), which doesn’t even have its own website (only a LinkedIn), might continue improving the Trilogy remaster. However, in light of their full integration with the creators of GTA 6, they could be assigned entirely new tasks.
