Rockstar Games
{{Short description|American video game publisher}}
{{pp-vandalism|small=yes}}
{{Use American English|date=July 2020}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=November 2021}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Rockstar Games, Inc.
| logo = Rockstar Games Logo.svg
| logo_alt = A capital "R" in black with a five-pointed, white star with a black outline appended to its lower-right end. They lay on an orange square with a black outline and rounded corners.
| type = Subsidiary
| industry = Video games
| predecessor = BMG Interactive
| founded = {{Start date and age|1998|12}}
| founders = {{Unbulleted list|Terry Donovan|Gary Foreman|Dan Houser|Sam Houser|Jamie King}}
| hq_location_city = New York City
| hq_location_country = US
| key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Sam Houser (president)|Jennifer Kolbe (vice president){{cite web |url=https://gamerant.com/rockstar-games-gender-pay-gap-improvements/ |title=Rockstar Games Improves Its Gender Pay Gap Issues |last=McPhillips |first=Andrew |work=Game Rant |publisher=Valnet |date=April 6, 2022 |accessdate=April 9, 2022 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220407161540/https://gamerant.com/rockstar-games-gender-pay-gap-improvements/ |archivedate=April 7, 2022 |url-status=live }}}}
| products = {{Unbulleted list
| Red Dead
}}
| num_employees = >2,000
| num_employees_year = 2018
| parent = Take-Two Interactive
| subsid = See {{section link||Studios}}
| website = {{URL|https://www.rockstargames.com/|rockstargames.com}}
}}
Rockstar Games, Inc. is an American video game publisher based in New York City. The company was established in December 1998 as a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive, using the assets Take-Two had previously acquired from BMG Interactive. Founding members of the company were Terry Donovan, Gary Foreman, Dan and Sam Houser, and Jamie King, who worked for Take-Two at the time, and of which the Houser brothers were previously executives at BMG Interactive. Sam Houser heads the studio as president.{{cite web |url=http://www.vulture.com/2018/10/the-making-of-rockstar-games-red-dead-redemption-2.html |title=How the West Was Digitized: The making of Rockstar Games' Red Dead Redemption 2 |first=Harold |last=Goldberg |date=October 14, 2018 |website=Vulture |access-date=October 16, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181017150109/http://www.vulture.com/2018/10/the-making-of-rockstar-games-red-dead-redemption-2.html |archive-date=October 17, 2018 |url-status=live}}
Since 1999, several companies acquired by or established under Take-Two have become part of Rockstar Games, such as Rockstar Canada (later renamed Rockstar Toronto) becoming the first one in 1999, and Rockstar Australia the most recent in 2025. All companies organized under Rockstar Games bear the "Rockstar" name and logo. In this context, Rockstar Games is sometimes also referred to as Rockstar New York, Rockstar NY or Rockstar NYC. Rockstar Games also sports a motion capture studio in Bethpage, New York.
Rockstar Games predominantly publishes games in the action-adventure genre, while racing games also saw success for the company. One of such action-adventure game franchises is Grand Theft Auto, which Rockstar Games took over from BMG Interactive, which published the series' original 1997 entry. The most recent main game in the series, Grand Theft Auto V, has sold over 200 million copies since its release in September 2013, making it the second-best-selling video game of all time.{{Cite web |last=Valentine |first=Rebekah |date=2024-05-16 |title=Grand Theft Auto 5 Surpasses 200 Million Units Sold |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/grand-theft-auto-5-surpasses-200-million-units-sold |access-date=2024-05-18 |website=IGN |language=en}} Other popular franchises published by Rockstar Games are Red Dead, Midnight Club, Max Payne, and Manhunt.{{Cite news |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-02-09-grand-theft-auto-5-has-now-sold-140m-copies |title=2020: Grand Theft Auto 5 has now sold 140m copies |website=Eurogamer |date=February 9, 2021 |access-date=February 10, 2021 |archive-date=April 2, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220402115102/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-02-09-grand-theft-auto-5-has-now-sold-140m-copies |url-status=live }}
History
File:Sam Houser and Dan Houser (cropped).png (left) and Sam Houser (right) are two of the co-founders of Rockstar Games. Dan left the company in 2020; Sam is the president.]]
On March 12, 1998, Take-Two Interactive announced its acquisition of the assets of dormant British video game publisher BMG Interactive from BMG Entertainment (a unit of Bertelsmann). In exchange, Take-Two was to issue 1.85 million shares (around 16%) of its common stock to BMG Entertainment.{{cite web |url=http://headline.gamespot.com/news/98_03/12_taketwo/index.html |title=Take 2 Takes BMG |first=Chris |last=Johnston |date=March 12, 1998 |website=GameSpot |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19981201222429/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/98_03/12_taketwo/index.html |archive-date=December 1, 1998 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=https://www.telecompaper.com/news/bmg-interactive-acquired-by-taketwo-interactive--132878 |title=BMG Interactive Acquired by Take-Two Interactive |date=March 16, 1998 |website=Telecompaper |access-date=December 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170908070006/https://www.telecompaper.com/news/bmg-interactive-acquired-by-taketwo-interactive--132878 |archive-date=September 8, 2017 |url-status=live}} Through this acquisition, Take-Two obtained several of BMG Interactive's former intellectual properties, including DMA Design's Grand Theft Auto and Space Station Silicon Valley.{{cite web |url=http://design.designmuseum.org/design/rockstar-games.html |title=Rockstar Games: Multimedia Designers |website=Design Museum |access-date=January 22, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160927090953/http://design.designmuseum.org/design/rockstar-games.html |archive-date=September 27, 2016 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=http://headline.gamespot.com/news/98_03/16_taketwovg/index.html |title=Take 2's Take |first=Kelly |last=Rickards |date=March 16, 1998 |website=GameSpot |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19981203020418/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/98_03/16_taketwovg/index.html |archive-date=December 3, 1998 |url-status=dead}} The deal was announced to have closed on March 25.{{cite web |url=http://headline.gamespot.com/news/98_03/25_taketwovg/index.html |title=Take 2 Deal Complete |first=Harley |last=Jebens |date=March 25, 1998 |website=GameSpot |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990203145000/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/98_03/25_taketwovg/index.html |archive-date=February 3, 1999 |url-status=dead}} Three BMG Interactive executives—Dan Houser, Sam Houser, and Jamie King—as well as Gary Foreman of BMG Interactive and Terry Donovan of BMG Entertainment's Arista Records record label, subsequently moved to New York City to work for Take-Two Interactive.{{cite magazine |date=January 2018 |title=Graftgold Creative Software |page=68 |url=https://archive.org/details/retro_gamer/RetroGamer_176/page/68/ |magazine=Retro Gamer |publisher=Future plc |access-date=April 9, 2022 }}{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-09-09-rockstars-houser-it-has-to-hurt-more |title=Rockstar's Houser: "It has to hurt more" |last=Weber |first=Rachel |work=Gamesindustry.biz |publisher=Future plc |date=September 9, 2013 |accessdate=April 9, 2022 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20130912052642/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-09-09-rockstars-houser-it-has-to-hurt-more |archivedate=September 12, 2013 |url-status=live }} In a restructuring announced that April, Sam Houser was appointed as Take-Two's "vice president of worldwide product development".{{cite web |url=http://headline.gamespot.com/news/98_04/28_taketwo/index.html |title=Take-Two Restructuring |first=Harley |last=Jebens |date=April 28, 1998 |website=GameSpot |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/19990210060536/http://headline.gamespot.com/news/98_04/28_taketwo/index.html |archive-date=February 10, 1999 |url-status=dead}} In December 1998, the Houser brothers, Donovan and King established Rockstar Games as the "high-end" publishing label of Take-Two.{{cite web |url=http://www.develop-online.net/analysis/sam-houser-his-story/0116226 |title=Sam Houser: His-Story |date=August 15, 2008 |website=Develop |access-date=March 17, 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161220065823/http://www.develop-online.net/analysis/sam-houser-his-story/0116226 |archive-date=December 20, 2016 |url-status=dead}}{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-rockstar-co-founding-brothers-squeeze-into-britain-s-1-000-richest-people-list-with-ps90-million/1100-6419714/ |title=GTA, Rockstar co-founding brothers squeeze into Britain's 1,000 richest people list with £90 million |first=Emanuel |last=Maiberg |date=May 18, 2014 |website=GameSpot |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170710051025/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/gta-rockstar-co-founding-brothers-squeeze-into-britain-s-1-000-richest-people-list-with-ps90-million/1100-6419714/ |archive-date=July 10, 2017 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.playboy.com/articles/grand-theft-auto-sam-houser-interview |access-date=September 10, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170911102025/http://www.playboy.com/articles/grand-theft-auto-sam-houser-interview |title=Grand Theft Auto's Reclusive Genius Sam Houser Can't Get Away |first=Harold |last=Goldberg |date=November 15, 2013 |website=Playboy |archive-date=September 11, 2017 |url-status=dead}} The formation was formally announced on January 22, 1999.{{cite web |url=http://www.take2games.com/public/news/article.jhtml?articleid=30 |title=Press Release 1/22/99 |website=Take-Two Interactive |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20000604162456/http://www.take2games.com/public/news/article.jhtml?articleid=30 |archive-date=June 4, 2000 |url-status=dead}}
In January 2007, Take-Two announced that Donovan, until then managing director for Rockstar Games, had left the company following a four-month leave of absence.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/terry-donovan-leaves-rockstar/1100-6164173/ |title=Terry Donovan leaves Rockstar |last=Sinclair |first=Brendan |website=GameSpot |date=January 12, 2007 |access-date=February 14, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160416061844/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/terry-donovan-leaves-rockstar/1100-6164173/ |archive-date=April 16, 2016}} He was succeeded by Gary Dale, who became chief operating officer.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/capcom-exec-leaves-to-join-rockstar/1100-6163690/ |title=Capcom exec leaves to join Rockstar |website=GameSpot |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170622090841/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/capcom-exec-leaves-to-join-rockstar/1100-6163690/ |archive-date=June 22, 2017}} Dale previously worked with the Houser brothers and King at BMG Interactive, but left the company when it was acquired by Take-Two Interactive, and joined Capcom's European operations as managing director in 2003.{{cite web |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/67318-Rockstar-Hires-New-COO |title=Rockstar Hires New COO – The Escapist |website=www.escapistmagazine.com |date=January 4, 2007 |access-date=January 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103072606/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/67318-Rockstar-Hires-New-COO |archive-date=January 3, 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dale-drives-back-rockstar-as-127071 |title=Dale drives back to Rockstar as COO |website=The Hollywood Reporter |date=January 2, 2007 |access-date=January 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103072534/https://www.hollywoodreporter.com/news/dale-drives-back-rockstar-as-127071 |archive-date=January 3, 2018 |url-status=live}}
As of February 2014, Rockstar Games titles have shipped more than 250 million copies,{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/rockstar-titles-have-now-shipped-250-million-copies-to-date/1100-6417508/ |title=Rockstar titles have now shipped 250 million copies to date |date=February 4, 2014 |website=GameSpot |access-date=February 7, 2014 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140207111044/http://www.gamespot.com/articles/rockstar-titles-have-now-shipped-250-million-copies-to-date/1100-6417508/ |archive-date=February 7, 2014}} the largest franchise being the Grand Theft Auto series, which alone has shipments of at least 250 million as of November 2016.{{cite web |url=http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/grand-theft-auto-life-time-sales-hits-250-million-gta-5-gta-online-ships-70-million-units-1589687 |title=Grand Theft Auto life-time sales hit 250 million, GTA 5 and GTA Online ships 70 million units |last=Cragg |first=Oliver |date=November 3, 2016 |website=International Business Times |access-date=February 6, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170207112809/http://www.ibtimes.co.uk/grand-theft-auto-life-time-sales-hits-250-million-gta-5-gta-online-ships-70-million-units-1589687 |archive-date=February 7, 2017}} Grand Theft Auto V shipped the highest number of units within the series' and the company's history, with over 170 million copies,{{Cite web |date=2022-11-07 |title=Take-Two losses deeper than forecast |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/take-two-losses-deeper-than-forecast |access-date=2022-12-04 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |language=en |archive-date=November 30, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221130212848/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/take-two-losses-deeper-than-forecast |url-status=live }} making it the second best-selling video game of all time.{{cite web |url=https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-07-27/gta-6-release-date-rockstar-cleans-up-image-after-employee-backlash |title=Rockstar Games Cleaned Up Its Frat-Boy Culture — and Grand Theft Auto, Too |last=Schreier |first=Jason |authorlink=Jason Schreier |work=Bloomberg News |publisher=Bloomberg L.P. |date=July 27, 2022 |accessdate=December 6, 2022 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20221205232812/https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2022-07-27/gta-6-release-date-rockstar-cleans-up-image-after-employee-backlash |archivedate=December 5, 2022 |url-status=live |url-access=subscription }}
At the 10th British Academy Games Awards in March 2014, Rockstar Games was honored with the BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award for "creating intricately layered interactive worlds that have kept the company at the forefront of the gaming industry for over a decade, both critically and commercially".{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/technology-26417488 |title=Bafta fellowship for Rockstar Games |work=BBC News |date=March 3, 2014 |access-date=July 21, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180111101212/http://www.bbc.com/news/technology-26417488 |archive-date=January 11, 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2014/3/3/5465544/rockstar-games-bafta-fellowship-gta |title=Rockstar Games to receive BAFTA Fellowship award |first=Dave |last=Tach |date=March 3, 2014 |website=Polygon |access-date=January 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103072551/https://www.polygon.com/2014/3/3/5465544/rockstar-games-bafta-fellowship-gta |archive-date=January 3, 2018 |url-status=live}} Jennifer Kolbe, who started at the front desk of Take-Two, acts as Rockstar Games' head of publishing and oversees all development studios.{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/inside-rockstar-games-culture-of-crunch-1829936466 |title=Inside Rockstar Games' Culture Of Crunch |first=Jason |last=Schreier |date=October 23, 2018 |website=Kotaku |access-date=October 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181024094359/https://kotaku.com/inside-rockstar-games-culture-of-crunch-1829936466 |archive-date=October 24, 2018 |url-status=live}} Simon Ramsey is the company's head of PR and communications.
In May 2019, Rockstar Games announced that they were acquiring Dhruva Interactive from Starbreeze Studios for {{US$|7.9 million|long=no}}, with the sale being finalized later that month and the Dhruva team merged into Rockstar India.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-05-13-rockstar-acquires-dhruva-from-starbreeze-for-usd7-9m |title=Rockstar acquires Dhruva Interactive from Starbreeze for $7.9m |first=Rebekah |last=Valentine |date=May 13, 2019 |access-date=May 13, 2019 |work=gamesindustry.biz |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190513194338/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-05-13-rockstar-acquires-dhruva-from-starbreeze-for-usd7-9m |archive-date=May 13, 2019 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.starbreeze.com/2019/05/starbreeze-has-closed-the-transaction-of-indian-subsidiary-dhruva/ |title=Starbreeze has closed the transaction of Indian subsidiary Dhruva |author=Starbreeze |date=May 22, 2019 |website=Starbreeze Studios |access-date=September 17, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190707232628/https://www.starbreeze.com/2019/05/starbreeze-has-closed-the-transaction-of-indian-subsidiary-dhruva/ |archive-date=July 7, 2019 |url-status=live}}
In September 2019, Rockstar Games announced that they had released their own game launcher, a digital distribution, digital rights management, multiplayer and communications service.{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2019/9/17/20870668/rockstar-games-launcher-pc-store-gta-san-andreas-free |title=Rockstar has its own game launcher, and GTA: San Andreas is free |first=Nicole |last=Carpenter |date=September 17, 2019 |access-date=September 17, 2019 |work=Polygon |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190917221237/https://www.polygon.com/2019/9/17/20870668/rockstar-games-launcher-pc-store-gta-san-andreas-free |archive-date=September 17, 2019}} After having taken an extended break following the release of Red Dead Redemption 2 in early 2019, Dan Houser left Rockstar Games on March 11, 2020.{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2020/2/4/21123170/dan-houser-departs-rockstar-games-red-dead-gta |title=Rockstar Games co-founder Dan Houser leaving the company |first=Colin |last=Campbell |date=February 4, 2020 |website=Polygon |access-date=February 4, 2020 |archive-date=September 18, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200918155332/https://www.polygon.com/2020/2/4/21123170/dan-houser-departs-rockstar-games-red-dead-gta |url-status=live }}
The company acquired the Scottish studio Ruffian Games in October 2020, rebranding the studio as Rockstar Dundee.{{cite web | url = https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/rockstar-has-taken-over-master-chief-collection-developer-ruffian-games/ | title = Rockstar has taken over Master Chief Collection developer Ruffian Games | first = Andy | last = Robinson | date = October 12, 2020 | access-date = October 12, 2020 | work = Video Games Chronicle | archive-date = December 8, 2020 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20201208013522/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/rockstar-has-taken-over-master-chief-collection-developer-ruffian-games/ | url-status = live }}
In September 2022, Rockstar was the target of a data breach in which 90 videos from the development of Grand Theft Auto VI were leaked.{{cite web |url=https://www.theguardian.com/games/2022/sep/19/rockstar-owner-issues-takedowns-after-grand-theft-auto-vi-leak |title=Rockstar owner issues takedowns after Grand Theft Auto VI leak |last=MacDonald |first=Keza |work=The Guardian |date=19 September 2022 |accessdate=20 September 2022 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220919114036/https://www.theguardian.com/games/2022/sep/19/rockstar-owner-issues-takedowns-after-grand-theft-auto-vi-leak |archivedate=19 September 2022 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2022/9/18/23359156/gta-6-leak-gameplay-footage-90-videos |title=GTA 6 gameplay leaks online in 90 videos |last=Warren |first=Tom |work=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |date=18 September 2022 |accessdate=18 September 2022 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220918112405/https://www.theverge.com/2022/9/18/23359156/gta-6-leak-gameplay-footage-90-videos |archivedate=18 September 2022 |url-status=live }} Rockstar described the leak as a "network intrusion", and noted that it was "extremely disappointed" by the manner in which the game was first demonstrated, but that it did not anticipate long-term effects on development.{{cite web |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/rockstar-comments-on-gta-6-leak-and-claims-project-wont-be-delayed/ |title=Rockstar comments on GTA 6 leak and claims project won't be delayed |last=Robinson |first=Andy |work=Video Games Chronicle |publisher=Gamer Network |date=19 September 2022 |accessdate=19 September 2022 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20220919133034/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/rockstar-comments-on-gta-6-leak-and-claims-project-wont-be-delayed/ |archivedate=19 September 2022 |url-status=live }}
In August 2023, Rockstar acquired Cfx.re (CitizenFX), the team behind the modding platforms FiveM and RedM for Grand Theft Auto V and Red Dead Redemption 2 respectively.{{Cite web |last=Games |first=Rockstar |title=Roleplay Community Update |url=https://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/8971o8789584a4/roleplay-community-update |access-date=2023-08-11 |website=Rockstar Games |language=en-us |archive-date=November 10, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231110111629/https://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/8971o8789584a4/roleplay-community-update |url-status=live }}{{Cite web |first=Wesley |last=Yin-Poole |date=2023-08-11 |title=Rockstar Officially Working With GTA Roleplay Server Team, Sparking Fresh Excitement About GTA 6 |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/rockstar-officially-working-with-gta-roleplay-server-team-sparking-fresh-excitement-about-gta-6 |access-date=2023-08-11 |website=IGN |language=en |archive-date=October 24, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231024121938/https://www.ign.com/articles/rockstar-officially-working-with-gta-roleplay-server-team-sparking-fresh-excitement-about-gta-6 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/with-gta-6-on-the-way-the-fivem-devs-are-expanding-the-possibilities-of-user-generated-content-at-rockstar/ |title=With GTA 6 on the way, the FiveM devs are 'expanding the possibilities of user-generated content' at Rockstar |last=Bailey |first=Dustin |work=GamesRadar+ |date=November 9, 2023 |accessdate=March 25, 2024 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231109002149/https://www.gamesradar.com/with-gta-6-on-the-way-the-fivem-devs-are-expanding-the-possibilities-of-user-generated-content-at-rockstar/ |archivedate=November 9, 2023 |url-status=live }} Michael Unsworth, vice president of writing, departed the company in 2023 after sixteen years.{{cite web |url=https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/red-dead-redemption-series-writer-leaves-rockstar-after-16-years/ |title=Red Dead Redemption series writer leaves Rockstar after 16 years |last=Robinson |first=Andy |work=Video Games Chronicle |publisher=Gamer Network |date=August 28, 2023 |accessdate=August 30, 2023 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20230828170821/https://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/red-dead-redemption-series-writer-leaves-rockstar-after-16-years/ |archivedate=August 28, 2023 |url-status=live }} In March 2025, Rockstar announced it would acquire Sydney-based studio Video Games Deluxe, consisting of former L.A. Noire developers, and rename it Rockstar Australia.{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/news/533101/rockstar-games-acquisition-video-deluxe-australia-brendan-mcnamara-la-noire |title=Rockstar acquires Aussie studio founded by L.A. Noire director |last=Walker |first=Ian |work=Polygon |publisher=Vox Media |date=March 3, 2025 |accessdate=March 4, 2025 }}
Company philosophy
In October 2011, Dan Houser told Famitsu that Rockstar Games was intentionally avoiding developing games in the first-person shooter genre, because "it is in our DNA to avoid doing what other companies are doing ... the goalpoint of Rockstar is to have the players really feel what we're trying to do."{{cite web |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/113855-Rockstar-Make-Good-Games-and-the-Money-Will-Follow |title=Rockstar: Make Good Games and the Money Will Follow – The Escapist |website=Escapist Magazine|date=October 27, 2011 |access-date=January 2, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180103072638/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/news/view/113855-Rockstar-Make-Good-Games-and-the-Money-Will-Follow |archive-date=January 3, 2018 |url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://gamerant.com/rockstar-games-avoiding-first-person-shooters/ |title=Rockstar Games Purposefully Avoiding First Person Shooters |date=October 27, 2011 |website=Game Rant |access-date=March 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180907144705/https://gamerant.com/rockstar-games-avoiding-first-person-shooters/ |archive-date=September 7, 2018 |url-status=live}} Houser went on to say "Our games up to now have been different from any genre that existed at the time; we made new genres by ourselves with games like the GTA series. We didn't rely on testimonials in a business textbook to do what we've done. ... If we make the sort of games we want to play, then we believe people are going to buy them."{{cite web |url=https://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2011/10/26/rockstar-assures-gamers-that-the-studios-priority-is-doing-new-things/ |title=Rockstar Assures Gamers that the Studio's Priority is "Doing New Things" |date=October 26, 2011 |website=PlayStation LifeStyle |access-date=March 11, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180816110123/http://www.playstationlifestyle.net/2011/10/26/rockstar-assures-gamers-that-the-studios-priority-is-doing-new-things/ |archive-date=August 16, 2018 |url-status=live}}
The company has been involved with charitable work ranging from supporting Movember and offering appearances in games as a raffle prize, to charity live streams.{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/rockstar-sponsors-movember-charity |title=Rockstar sponsors Movember charity |last=Purchese |first=Robert |date=October 26, 2009 |website=Eurogamer |access-date=February 3, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204085340/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/rockstar-sponsors-movember-charity |archive-date=February 4, 2017}}{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/rockstar-offers-game-appearance-prize-for-charity |title=Rockstar offers game appearance prize for charity |newspaper=GamesIndustry.biz |date=October 26, 2009 |access-date=February 3, 2017 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170204090542/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/rockstar-offers-game-appearance-prize-for-charity |archive-date=February 4, 2017}}
Games
{{Main|List of video games published by Rockstar Games}}
Other projects
= Rockstar Loft =
In 1999, Donovan and Sam Houser cooperated with John Davis to establish the Rockstar Loft club night. Davis had co-founded and been the promoter for Body & Soul, a "no-guestlist, no velvet rope party" held weekly at Tribeca's Club Vinyl. When Rockstar Games' founder originally arrived in New York City, former DJ Donovan was particularly impressed with Body & Soul, and they became close with the club night's team, including Davis and its other founder, DJ François K. Davis had sought to establish further such events, while Donovan and Houser wanted to get publicity for the young Rockstar Games, thus they established Rockstar Loft. According to Donovan, the event was to serve as an alternative those that were overly expensive or had attendees "bulldozed by security". He precluded video game installations at the venue to focus on the music and highlight the artists.{{cite web |url=https://www.fanbyte.com/features/the-strange-tale-of-rockstar-loft-rockstar-games-short-lived-club-night/ |title=The Strange Tale of Rockstar Loft, Rockstar Games' Short-Lived Club Night |first=Jack |last=Yarwood |date=January 18, 2022 |website=Fanbyte |access-date=April 9, 2022 |archive-date=April 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409134417/https://www.fanbyte.com/features/the-strange-tale-of-rockstar-loft-rockstar-games-short-lived-club-night/ |url-status=live}}
As it could not afford frequent television advertisements, Rockstar Games resorted to guerrilla marketing teams distributing fly posters and stickers. Tickets for Rockstar Loft were originally not sold in advance. Instead, potential guests were to call a phone number and face seven questions regarding their personality. If answered to the liking of the operator, the caller would receive their entry ticket in the mail. The first Rockstar Loft was held in western Chelsea, Manhattan, on October 30, 1999, with Andi Hanley (a regular of Body & Soul), Bob Sinclar, and Dimitri from Paris as headlining DJs.{{cite web |url=https://nymag.com/nymetro/nightlife/barsclubs/features/1429/ |title=Nightlife: House Party |first=Ethan |last=Brown |date=September 13, 1999 |website=New York |access-date=April 9, 2022 |archive-date=April 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409134431/https://nymag.com/nymetro/nightlife/barsclubs/features/1429/ |url-status=live}} Thereafter, it was held "every few months", with one happening on February 19, 2000.{{cite web |url=https://nymag.com/nymetro/news/media/internet/2285/ |title=Silicon Alley 10003 |first=Vanessa |last=Grigoriadis |date=March 6, 2000 |website=New York |access-date=April 9, 2022 |archive-date=April 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409135822/https://nymag.com/nymetro/news/media/internet/2285/ |url-status=live}} Later that year, Rockstar Loft was wound down.
= Films =
Kirk Ewing—a friend of the Houser brothers who had worked with Rockstar Games on State of Emergency—stated that, around the release of Grand Theft Auto III in 2001, Rockstar Games had been offered {{US$|5 million|long=no}} for a film based on the Grand Theft Auto franchise. He had received a phone call from a producer in Los Angeles requesting the rights for a film to be directed by Tony Scott of Top Gun and starring rapper Eminem. When he relayed this proposal to Sam Houser, Houser said that he was not interested.{{cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/grand-theft-auto-rockstar-games-rejected-eminem-movie-deal-3349423 |title='Grand Theft Auto': Rockstar Games rejected Eminem movie deal |first=Hollie |last=Geraghty |date=November 15, 2022 |website=NME |access-date=November 20, 2022 |archive-date=November 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120190145/https://www.nme.com/news/gaming-news/grand-theft-auto-rockstar-games-rejected-eminem-movie-deal-3349423 |url-status=live}} In 2004, Rockstar Games produced the sports drama film The Football Factory. Based on the book of the same name by John King, the film revolves around organized football hooliganism in the United Kingdom.{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-14502671 |title=England riots: A culture of voyeurism |first=Will |last=Gompertz |date=August 15, 2011 |website=BBC News |access-date=April 9, 2022 |archive-date=April 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409123618/https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-14502671 |url-status=live}} The company also produced Sunday Driver, a documentary about the Majestics Lowrider Club in Compton, California, and The Introduction, an animated film that details the events leading up to Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas. Both were bundled with the game's special edition released in 2005.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/11/02/grand-theft-auto-san-andreas-special-edition-dvd-sunday-driver-the-introduction |title=Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas Special Edition DVD (Sunday Driver, The Introduction) |first=Chris |last=Carle |date=November 2, 2005 |website=IGN |access-date=April 9, 2022 |archive-date=April 9, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220409125300/https://www.ign.com/articles/2005/11/02/grand-theft-auto-san-andreas-special-edition-dvd-sunday-driver-the-introduction |url-status=live}}
= CircoLoco Records =
In May 2021, Rockstar Games launched the record label CircoLoco Records in collaboration with Circoloco, an Ibiza-based dance party. The collaboration grew from a friendship between Sam Houser and Circoloco's promoter, Antonio Carbonaro. According to Nick Benedetti, the party's manager, Rockstar Games and Circoloco intended to "contribute something new and meaningful" to the dance music scene, which had faced hardships because of the lockdowns brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic.{{cite web |url=https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/circoloco-rockstar-games-announce-circoloco-records |title=CircoLoco and Rockstar Games Join Forces for New Imprint, CircoLoco Records |first=Khal |last=Davenport |date=May 24, 2021 |website=Complex |access-date=May 24, 2021 |archive-date=May 24, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210524132840/https://www.complex.com/pop-culture/circoloco-rockstar-games-announce-circoloco-records |url-status=live}} CircoLoco Records' first release, Monday Dreamin', was released as a series of extended plays starting in June 2021.
Studios
Outside of its New York City headquarters, Rockstar Games operates several subsidiary studios worldwide.{{cite web |url=https://www.usgamer.net/articles/crackdown-2-makers-ruffian-games-are-now-rockstars-newest-studio |title=Crackdown 2 Makers Ruffian Games Are Now Rockstar's Newest Studio |first=Mathew |last=Olson |date=October 12, 2020 |website=USgamer |access-date=November 20, 2022 |archive-date=November 20, 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221120184636/https://www.usgamer.net/articles/crackdown-2-makers-ruffian-games-are-now-rockstars-newest-studio |url-status=live}} All studios use the Rockstar Games logo with individual colors.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/5-iconic-game-company-logos-that-must-not-be-messed-with/ |title=5 iconic game company logos that must not be messed with |first=Matt |last=Cundy |date=June 3, 2010 |website=GamesRadar+ |access-date=February 15, 2019 |archive-date=January 24, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180124141548/http://www.gamesradar.com/5-iconic-game-company-logos-that-must-not-be-messed-with/ |url-status=live}} As of 2018, the company employs more than 2,000 people across all offices.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-10-26-houser-brothers-expected-to-receive-bulk-of-usd538m-red-dead-royalties |title=Analyst expects Houser brothers to receive bulk of $538m Red Dead royalties |first=James |last=Batchelor |date=October 26, 2018 |website=GamesIndustry.biz |access-date=October 26, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181026172601/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2018-10-26-houser-brothers-expected-to-receive-bulk-of-usd538m-red-dead-royalties |archive-date=October 26, 2018 |url-status=live}} The studios frequently collaborate and were collectively credited as Rockstar Studios in Max Payne 3,{{cite video game |title=Max Payne 3 |developer=Rockstar Studios |publisher=Rockstar Games |date=May 15, 2012 |platform=PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 |level=Opening credits}} and simply as Rockstar Games in Red Dead Redemption 2.{{cite web |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/05/04/how-rockstar-is-making-its-open-worlds-even-better |title=How Rockstar Is Making Its Open Worlds Even Better |last=Krupa |first=Daniel |work=IGN |publisher=Ziff Davis |date=May 4, 2018 |access-date=December 14, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230922231327/https://www.ign.com/articles/2018/05/04/how-rockstar-is-making-its-open-worlds-even-better |archive-date=September 22, 2023 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/features/red-dead-redemption-2-narrative-interview-1202992401/ |title=The Story Behind the Story of 'Red Dead Redemption 2' |last=Crecente |first=Brian |work=Variety |publisher=Penske Media Corporation |date=October 24, 2018 |access-date=May 8, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190511004509/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/features/red-dead-redemption-2-narrative-interview-1202992401/ |archive-date=May 11, 2019 |url-status=live }}
= Former =
| class="wikitable sortable"
! Logo ! Name ! Location ! Founded ! Acquired ! Closed ! Notes |
| 50px
| Vancouver, Canada | 1998 | 2002 | 2012 | Developer of Bully and Max Payne 3; merged into Rockstar Toronto in July 2012. |
| 50px
| Vienna, Austria | 1993 | 2003 | 2006 | Developer of several Xbox ports; closed down in May 2006 |
Software
= RAGE =
{{Main|Rockstar Advanced Game Engine}}
Rockstar Advanced Game Engine (RAGE) is a game engine developed by the Rockstar San Diego-internal RAGE Technology Group, created to facilitate game development on all platforms since 2006.{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/that-time-rockstar-made-a-table-tennis-game-1750981913 |title=That Time Rockstar Made A Table Tennis Game |first=Patrick |last=Klepek |date=January 4, 2016 |website=Kotaku |access-date=December 30, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107015913/https://kotaku.com/that-time-rockstar-made-a-table-tennis-game-1750981913 |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |url-status=live }} RAGE is used in most of Rockstar Games's titles for personal computers and consoles, including Red Dead Redemption, Grand Theft Auto IV, Max Payne 3, Grand Theft Auto V, and Red Dead Redemption 2.{{cite web |last=Loveridge |first=Sam |date=May 23, 2016 |title=Why Rockstar's Table Tennis was even more important than GTA 5 |url=https://www.digitalspy.com/videogames/a795096/why-rockstars-table-tennis-was-even-more-important-than-gta/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171107021025/http://www.digitalspy.com/gaming/feature/a795096/why-rockstars-table-tennis-was-even-more-important-than-gta/ |archive-date=November 7, 2017 |access-date=October 31, 2017 |website=Digital Spy}}{{cite web |last=Linneman |first=John |date=October 3, 2017 |title=Red Dead Redemption 2's state-of-the-art technology analysed |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2017-red-dead-redemption-2-trailer-tech-analysis |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112042158/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/digitalfoundry-2017-red-dead-redemption-2-trailer-tech-analysis |archive-date=November 12, 2020 |access-date=October 21, 2018 |website=Eurogamer}}
= Rockstar Games Social Club =
Rockstar Games Social Club is an online gaming service created by Rockstar Games for authentication and multiplayer applications within their games.{{cite web|first=Mike|last=Fahey|url=http://kotaku.com/5908510/rockstar-games-social-club-just-got-a-lot-more-social|title=Rockstar Games' Social Club Just Got a Lot More Social|publisher=Kotaku|date=May 8, 2012|access-date=October 18, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230809143616/https://kotaku.com/rockstar-games-social-club-just-got-a-lot-more-social-5908510|archive-date=August 9, 2023}} Most branding relating to Social Club was removed from Rockstar's website by November 2023.{{cite web|first=Ryan|last=Dinsdale|url=https://www.ign.com/articles/rockstar-scraps-social-club-branding-ahead-of-gta-6-reveal|title=Rockstar Scraps Social Club Branding Ahead of GTA 6 Reveal|publisher=IGN|date=November 22, 2023|access-date=November 24, 2023|archive-date=December 5, 2023|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231205001154/https://www.ign.com/articles/rockstar-scraps-social-club-branding-ahead-of-gta-6-reveal|url-status=live}}
= Rockstar Games Launcher =
Rockstar Games released its own games launcher for Windows on September 17, 2019. The launcher integrates with the user's Social Club account, allowing them to download and buy games that they have previously purchased through Rockstar's store, as well as launch Rockstar games available from other services, like Steam, from the launcher.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/rockstar-games-now-has-its-own-game-launcher-on-pc |title=Rockstar Games now has its own game launcher on PC |first=Alissa |last=McAloon |date=September 17, 2019 |access-date=September 17, 2019 |work=Gamasutra | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20190926130554/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/350814/Rockstar_Games_now_has_its_own_game_launcher_on_PC.php | archive-date = September 26, 2019 | url-status = live}}
References
{{Reflist
|refs=
{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/447299-rockstar-games-crunch-developer |title=Anonymous Developer Details Rockstar Games Crunch |last=Leonard |first=Matt |work=GameRevolution |publisher=CraveOnline |date=October 19, 2018 |access-date=December 27, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181020045521/https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/447299-rockstar-games-crunch-developer |archive-date=October 20, 2018 |url-status=live }}
}}
External links
- {{Official website|https://www.rockstargames.com}}
{{Rockstar Games}}
{{Take-Two Interactive}}
{{BAFTA Academy Fellowship Award}}
{{Authority control}}
Category:1998 establishments in New York City
Category:Software companies based in New York City
Category:Take-Two Interactive divisions and subsidiaries
Category:Video game companies based in New York (state)
Category:Video game companies established in 1998
Category:Video game development companies