Rockstar Australia

Rockstar Australia is a Sydney-based video game development studio and a subsidiary of Rockstar Games. The studio was officially formed on March 3, 2025, after Rockstar Games announced its acquisition of Video Games Deluxe¹. It is the tenth subsidiary studio under the Rockstar Games banner, joining others such as Rockstar North and Rockstar San Diego. The studio is primarily known for its specialization in creating video game remasters, ports, and VR experiences².

Overview / Description

Rockstar Australia is located in Pyrmont, Sydney, and is composed of veteran developers, many of whom were former employees of Team Bondi, the original studio behind the Rockstar-published title L.A. Noire. The studio was founded as Video Games Deluxe in 2013 by Brendan McNamara³, who continues to lead the studio following its acquisition.

Before becoming Rockstar Australia, the team at Video Games Deluxe collaborated with Rockstar on several projects, including the development of L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files. Their expertise was later called upon to help address issues with _Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition_. Following this successful collaboration, Take-Two Interactive and Rockstar Games acquired the studio, rebranding it as Rockstar Australia⁴. The studio is currently collaborating with Rockstar Games on an unannounced AAA open-world title⁵.

Branding and Design

Rockstar Australia's branding is consistent with its parent company. Its logo is a variation of the main Rockstar Games logo, customized to reflect its identity.

Products / Services

Rockstar Australia specializes in technical development, including remasters, ports, and VR games. The studio's portfolio, including work under its previous name, includes:

• L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files: Developed as Video Games Deluxe, this title adapted the original detective game for virtual reality platforms.
• Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition: The studio was initially one of the outsourced developers for the trilogy's original release. It later took a leading role in fixing the collection's technical issues, developing the significantly improved iOS and Android versions for Netflix, and porting these fixes back to the PC and console versions in a major update.
• Unnamed AAA Open-World Title: The studio is currently working in collaboration with the wider Rockstar Games team on a major upcoming title.

Locations

Rockstar Australia's physical studio is located in Pyrmont, a suburb of Sydney, Australia. Australia has been a significant market for the Grand Theft Auto series, with numerous midnight launch events held for titles like Grand Theft Auto V.

Role in Grand Theft Auto VI

The studio is confirmed to be collaborating with Rockstar Games on a major "AAA open-world title." While there is widespread speculation, it has not been officially confirmed if this project is Grand Theft Auto VI.

Trivia

• Rockstar Australia is comprised of staff from the former Team Bondi, the original developers of the Rockstar-published title L.A. Noire.⁶
• The studio's predecessor, Video Games Deluxe, was founded in 2013 by Brendan McNamara after Team Bondi was dissolved.
• The studio's home city, Sydney, was once evaluated as a potential setting for a Grand Theft Auto game but was ultimately seen as having a crime rate too low to be an ideal fit for the series.
• Rockstar Australia is the tenth subsidiary studio established by Rockstar Games.⁷