LA Noire Director Rejoins Rockstar Pre-GTA 6 Release; Studio Acquires and Rebrands GTA Trilogy Developer as Rockstar Australia

Rockstar Games has just taken a significant step forward as we approach the anticipated release of GTA 6. They’ve acquired Sydney-based developer Video Games Deluxe, which worked on The GTA Trilogy: Definitive Edition. This team is now rebranded as Rockstar Australia.

This acquisition marks the return of Brendan McNamara, the director behind LA Noire. McNamara established Video Games Deluxe after leaving Team Bondi, the studio responsible for LA Noire, which eventually closed its doors.

“We’re thrilled to have Video Games Deluxe come on board as Rockstar Australia,” said Jennifer Kolbe, Rockstar Games’ head of publishing, in a statement about the acquisition shared by BusinessWire. This partnership reflects years of collaboration between the two companies.

In the past, Video Games Deluxe collaborated on several projects, including the re-release of LA Noire and its VR Case Files. Most recently, they helped update The GTA Trilogy: Definitive Edition, a response to criticism aimed at the original release’s quality. Grove Street Games, another studio, was at the center of this criticism, leading to some tension when their mentions were reduced in the updated version.

McNamara’s comeback also brings attention to his past with Team Bondi, a studio that closed down in 2011 amidst controversies around its working environment. McNamara had previously addressed these issues, and now, with the move to Rockstar Australia, he expressed, “It’s been an honor working with Rockstar Games over the past decade. We’re excited to join their ranks and continue our mission to create top-notch games.”

As for whether Rockstar Australia will directly contribute to GTA 6, that’s still under wraps. However, considering GTA 6’s expected release this fall, it wouldn’t be surprising if they did play a role. That timeframe is noted only for the console version since Rockstar hasn’t announced a PC release date yet, despite some executive teasing that was quickly walked back.

In the gaming world, these moves hint at exciting developments, and as fans, we can only wait and see how Rockstar Australia’s talents will be woven into the fabric of Rockstar’s future projects.