Rockstar Games, the team behind the legendary Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption franchises, has today announced its intention to acquire Video Games Deluxe — a Syndney-based game developer — as the studio aims to get GTA 6 out the door in 2025.
Video Games Deluxe has previously worked with Rockstar on multiple L.A. Noire projects, and a recent overhaul to GTA: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition. It seems the studio is being rewarded after that work, and will be renamed 'Rockstar Australia' once the acquisition goes through.
Here's what both Rockstar and Video Games Deluxe had to say about the deal:
Rockstar's Jennifer Kolbe: "After working together closely over many years, we are excited to have Video Games Deluxe join the team as Rockstar Australia,"
Video Games Deluxe founder Brendan McNamara: "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."
At the time of posting this story, Rockstar is still aiming for a Fall 2025 release with GTA 6, and it seems inevitable that this acquisition will be in aid of that release. The Take-Two studio has been hard at work on the next Grand Theft Auto since Red Dead Redemption 2 launched in 2018 - and the upcoming open-world epic is expected to be one of the biggest video game launches ever.
Unfortunately, the acquisition's press release doesn't even give us a sliver of new information on GTA 6, as the company remains incredible tight-lipped on the series' next entry. Remember, we've still only seen one trailer for the next Grand Theft Auto game - which arrived as 'Trailer 1' all the way back in December 2023.
Thoughts on this acquisition, folks? Tell us whether you think a delay announcement is next down below.
[source businesswire.com]
Comments 9
Good to hear congratulations and all. Now your first job is to make RDR 2 60fps on Series X. Don’t i wish.
Finally a feel good story in 2025! Unless you think being swallowed up by a corporation and losing independence a good thing then this kinda sucks. A great destination to reward Rockstar staff on field trips… I expect a NPC to chant Aussie, Aussie, Aussie at some point in the game now.
Will it remain it's own entity or will it be combined with Grove Street Games who did the awful port? That's what I am curious about to be honest.
@HonestHick It really shouldn't be that hard. Unofficial patches for modded PS5s already have RDR2 and other games locked at 60fps (see Digital Foundry) and XSX should be able to do the same. At this point all that is missing is the WILL to do it, I suspect Rockstar are waiting to resell it to us in some form.
@themightyant agreed !! We all know it can be done. But yeah i think Rockstar is far too focused on GTA money which i understand but RDR2 still has a large fan base. If they wait until next gen and then make RDR2 with 60fps and better draw distance and textures etc etc. i would happily buy it. If thats the plan. But to do nothing with the game seems like a big waste. I feel like all i want in the video game industry is a pipe dream these days. I want Gears of War collection in UE5 and 60 fps RDR2. 😀
Great for that team, I don't think it will have much impact in stopping GTA 6 slipping into 2026 though. They are probably annoyed Microsoft got in there with Fable first.
Bloody hell! Is that when it came out? 2023? The trailer? Where does time go O_o
I really want to see a new LA Noire..
Rockstar acquires your mom and renames her Rockstar Mom. She’s now in the midst of 8 months of crunch.
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