Rockstar Games is a video game developer and publisher founded in 1998 and headquartered in New York City. It is a wholly owned subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive and the company behind the Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption series.1

What Rockstar Games does

Rockstar operates as both a publishing label and a network of development studios. Its best-known series include Grand Theft Auto, Red Dead Redemption, Max Payne, Bully, Midnight Club, Manhunt and L.A. Noire. Rockstar was one of Take-Two's principal publishing labels in fiscal 2026, with Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption among its key franchises.2

Rockstar's current Grand Theft Auto portfolio includes Grand Theft Auto V, GTA Online and Grand Theft Auto VI. Take-Two's May 2026 results list GTA VI for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on November 19, 2026.3

History

Rockstar dates its founding to 1998. The company credits Sam Houser as its founder and executive producer.4 In a message marking Rockstar's 25th anniversary, Houser said it was founded on the belief that video games could become as culturally important as other forms of entertainment.5 Rockstar's corporate information identifies the company as a Take-Two subsidiary, while its current legal information lists its headquarters at 622 Broadway in New York City.6

The company has expanded its development network over time. The Cfx.re team behind FiveM and RedM joined Rockstar in 2023.7 In 2025, Rockstar acquired Sydney-based Video Games Deluxe and renamed it Rockstar Australia.8 Rockstar's careers directory is the most reliable source for its current studio roster because offices and studio names can change.9

By August 2026, Rockstar's team had more than doubled in size since Red Dead Redemption 2's release. Work on GTA VI spans the company's offices: its Los Angeles branch focuses largely on pedestrians, and more than 50 street artists contributed murals. The vehicle-handling team also includes racing drivers.14

Games, technology and services

Rockstar develops its games with the Rockstar Advanced Game Engine (RAGE). It also operates the Rockstar Games Launcher, a Windows application for buying, installing and launching supported Rockstar PC titles.10

GTA+ is Rockstar's paid membership service. It provides recurring GTA Online benefits and access to a changing selection of Rockstar games on supported platforms.11 The Rockstar Games Social Club name also remains associated with Rockstar account, community and online-service features.

Outside games, Rockstar and CircoLoco launched CircoLoco Records in 2021 as a record label focused on dance music and music connected with Rockstar titles.12

Commercial scale and recognition

Take-Two reported that the Grand Theft Auto series had sold-in more than 465 million units worldwide by March 31, 2026. Grand Theft Auto V accounted for more than 225 million units, while Red Dead Redemption 2 had passed 80 million.2

In 2014, BAFTA presented Rockstar Games with its Academy Fellowship, the organisation's highest honour, for the company's contribution to games.13

Studios

Rockstar's careers directory presents its current network across Australia, Dundee, India, Leeds, Lincoln, London, New England, New York, North, San Diego and Toronto, alongside international and Los Angeles operations.9 GTA BOOM maintains separate reference pages for Rockstar North, Rockstar San Diego, Rockstar India and Rockstar Australia where more GTA-specific detail is available.

References

  1. Rockstar Games — Corporate Information – Accessed July 27, 2026.

  2. Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. — Annual Report on Form 10-K for the fiscal year ended March 31, 2026 – Accessed July 27, 2026.

  3. Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. — Fiscal 2026 fourth-quarter results – Accessed July 27, 2026.

  4. Rockstar Games — Thank You: Grand Theft Auto V and GTA Online – Accessed July 27, 2026.

  5. Rockstar Games — A Message from Rockstar Games – Accessed July 27, 2026.

  6. Rockstar Games — Roleplay Community Update – Accessed July 27, 2026.

  7. Take-Two Interactive — Rockstar Games to Acquire Video Games Deluxe – Accessed July 27, 2026.

  8. Rockstar Games — Career Openings – Accessed July 27, 2026.

  9. Rockstar Games — Download the Rockstar Games Launcher – Accessed July 27, 2026.

  10. Rockstar Games — GTA+ – Accessed July 27, 2026.

  11. Rockstar Games — Introducing CircoLoco Records – Accessed July 27, 2026.

  12. BAFTA — Rockstar Games: Academy Fellowship in 2014 – Accessed August 11, 2026.

  13. Dazed: GTA VI exclusive developer feature, August 26, 2026