Team Bondi
{{Short description|Australian video game developer}}
{{Use Australian English|date=February 2018}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=February 2018}}
{{Infobox company
| name = Team Bondi Pty. Limited
| logo = Team Bondi logo.png
| type = Private
| industry = Video games
| fate = Liquidation
| successors = {{ubil|KMM Interactive Entertainment|Intuitive Game Studios|Video Games Deluxe}}
| founded = {{Start date and age|df=yes|2003}}
| founder = Brendan McNamara
| defunct = {{End date|df=yes|2011|10|05}}
| hq_location_city = Sydney
| hq_location_country = Australia
| key_people = {{Unbulleted list|Brendan McNamara|(creative director)|Vicky Lord|(general manager)}}
| products = L.A. Noire
| num_employees = 35
| num_employees_year = 2011
}}
Team Bondi Pty. Limited ({{IPAc-en|ˈ|b|ɒ|n|d|aɪ}} {{respell|BON|dy}}) was an Australian video game developer based in Sydney. The company was founded by creative director Brendan McNamara, formerly of Team Soho, in 2003. The studio's first and only title, the action-adventure game L.A. Noire, was announced in July 2005. The development was originally funded and overseen by Sony Computer Entertainment Australia, although all publishing duties later switched hands to Rockstar Games. L.A. Noire was released by Rockstar Games, initially for PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 in May 2011, to both commercial and critical success. Despite the positive reception, Team Bondi faced several allegations of poor working conditions by several former employees, causing controversy for the studio and leading Rockstar Games to part ways with Team Bondi following L.A. Noire{{'s}} release. As a result of this, the developer saw itself unable to sign a publishing deal for a new game that was being written by McNamara.
In August 2011, the company's assets, as well as the intellectual property to a new game being written by McNamara at the time, were acquired by film production company Kennedy Miller Mitchell. Team Bondi was placed into administration on 31 August 2011, and finally entered liquidation on 5 October 2011. Many former Team Bondi staff members were transferred to Kennedy Miller Mitchell's KMM Interactive Entertainment subsidiary, and started developing the game around McNamara's script, which would eventually become Whore of the Orient. KMM Interactive Entertainment was shut down in April 2013, following Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment's withdrawal from the Whore of the Orient project as its publisher; the game, despite receiving government funding after the studio's closure, was cancelled shortly after. A successor to both Team Bondi and KMM Interactive Entertainment, Intuitive Game Studios, was announced by two former L.A. Noire and Whore of the Orient developers in May 2013.
History
= Foundation (2003–2004) =
Team Bondi was founded by Brendan McNamara in mid-2003.{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/news190705bondips3 |title=Team Bondi's PS3 title named |first=Tom |last=Bramwell |date=19 July 2005 |website=eurogamer.net |accessdate=24 February 2018 |archive-date=23 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923140733/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/news190705bondips3 |url-status=live }} McNamara was previously employed at Sony Computer Entertainment Europe's Team Soho studio, located in London's Soho area, where he directed The Getaway (2002), but decided to move to his home country, Australia, to found his own studio.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/mcnamara-makes-a-getaway-to-sydney |title=McNamara makes a Getaway to Sydney |author= |date= |website=gamesindustry.biz |accessdate=24 February 2018 |archive-date=11 June 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200611042916/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/mcnamara-makes-a-getaway-to-sydney |url-status=live }} The opening of Team Bondi was announced in January 2004.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/pc/new-australian-studio-formed |title=New Australian Studio Formed |first=David |last=Jenkins |date=January 21, 2004 |website=Game Developer |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=27 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210827115836/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/pc/new-australian-studio-formed |url-status=live }} At that point, McNamara had hired many former Team Soho staff, of which especially The Getaway developers, and had arranged an exclusive publishing deal with Sony Computer Entertainment Australia for a game on "third generation PlayStation" hardware.{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/news210104bondi |title=McNamara in Aussie Getaway |first=Tom |last=Bramwell |date=21 January 2004 |website=Eurogamer |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501230825/https://www.eurogamer.net/news210104bondi |url-status=live }}
= Controversies (2011) =
In early June 2011, former Team Bondi staff launched L.A. Noire Credits, a website dedicated to displaying over 130 credits of L.A. Noire developers that had been listed incorrectly or were left out completely in the game and its manual.{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/l-a-noire-development-staff-offer-corrected-credits |title=L.A. Noire development staff offer corrected credits |author=Brenna Hillier |date=3 June 2011 |website=VG247 |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501230836/https://www.vg247.com/l-a-noire-development-staff-offer-corrected-credits |url-status=live }} Most of these were employees who left the studio or were laid off during the game's development.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/team-bondi-accused-of-dropping-developers-from-la-noires-credits/ |title=Team Bondi accused of dropping developers from L.A. Noire's credits |author=Matt Bradford |date=June 21, 2011 |website=GamesRadar |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=12 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200812214936/https://www.gamesradar.com/team-bondi-accused-of-dropping-developers-from-la-noires-credits/ |url-status=live }} The same month, following initial statements made to the Sydney Morning Herald,{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/uncredited-l-a-noire-staff-describe-team-bondi-crunch-conditions |title=Uncredited L.A. Noire staff describe Team Bondi crunch conditions |author= |date=21 June 2011 |website=VG247 |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501230838/https://www.vg247.com/uncredited-l-a-noire-staff-describe-team-bondi-crunch-conditions |url-status=live }} Andrew McMillen published an article on IGN's Australian outfit, titled Why Did L.A. Noire Take Seven Years to Make?, in which he quoted eleven anonymous former Team Bondi personnel on the studio's managerial style, the staff's turnover rates and the working hours and conditions associated with the game's development.{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/06/24/why-did-la-noire-take-seven-years-to-make |title=Why Did L.A. Noire Take Seven Years to Make? |first=Andrew |last=McMillen |date=24 June 2011 |website=IGN |accessdate=24 February 2018 |archive-date=26 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180226154622/http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/06/24/why-did-la-noire-take-seven-years-to-make |url-status=live }} Additionally, McMillen interviewed McNamara, seeking his point of view on the statements made by the anonymous sources.{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/inside-the-seven-year-labor-pains-of-l-a-noire-5815615 |title=Inside the Seven-Year Labor Pains of L.A. Noire |first=Owen |last=Good |date=June 26, 2011 |website=Kotaku |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501230825/https://kotaku.com/inside-the-seven-year-labor-pains-of-l-a-noire-5815615 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/team-bondi-feature-describes-reported-working-conditions-during-l-a-noire-development |title=Team Bondi feature describes reported working conditions during L.A. Noire development |author=Stephany Nunneley |date=25 June 2011 |website=VG247 |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501230830/https://www.vg247.com/team-bondi-feature-describes-reported-working-conditions-during-l-a-noire-development |url-status=live }} As a result of the IGN Australia article, the International Game Developers Association (IGDA) announced that they were launching an investigation against Team Bondi and verify the claims made in the article.{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/igda-to-investigate-team-bondi-crunch-policy |title=IGDA to investigate Team Bondi crunch policy |author=Johnny Cullen |date=28 June 2011 |website=VG247 |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=28 August 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210828084034/https://www.vg247.com/igda-to-investigate-team-bondi-crunch-policy |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/la-noires-team-bondi-under-investigation-for-harmful-working-conditions/ |title=L.A. Noire's Team Bondi under investigation for 'harmful' working conditions |author=Matt Bradford |date=28 June 2011 |website=GamesRadar |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=27 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201027075140/https://www.gamesradar.com/la-noires-team-bondi-under-investigation-for-harmful-working-conditions/ |url-status=live }} IGDA chairman Brian Robbins explained that "12-hour a day, lengthy crunch time, if true, are absolutely unacceptable and harmful to the individuals involved, the final product, and the industry as a whole".{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2011-06-28-igda-to-investigate-team-bondi-allegations |title=IGDA to investigate Team Bondi allegations |author=Matthew Handrahan |date=28 June 2011 |website=gamesindustry.biz |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=7 July 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200707211828/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2011-06-28-igda-to-investigate-team-bondi-allegations |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/la-noires-studio-under-investigation-over-alleged-shonk-5816507 |title=LA Noire's Studio Under Investigation Over Alleged Shonky Work Practices |first=Luke |last=Plunkett |date=29 June 2011 |website=Kotaku |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501230825/https://kotaku.com/la-noires-studio-under-investigation-over-alleged-shonk-5816507 |url-status=live }}
In July 2011, an anonymous former Team Bondi employee leaked a series of confidential emails to GamesIndustry.biz, alongside their own comments in regards to them.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2011-07-05-revealed-the-internal-emails-that-provoked-whistle-blowing-at-team-bondi-blog-entry |title=The Emails Behind The Whistle Blowing at Team Bondi |author= |date= |website=gamesindustry.biz |accessdate=24 February 2018 |archive-date=6 July 2011 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110706212311/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2011-07-05-revealed-the-internal-emails-that-provoked-whistle-blowing-at-team-bondi-blog-entry |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-07-05-la-noire-the-team-bondi-emails-article |title=L.A. Noire: The Team Bondi Emails |first=Andrew |last=McMillen |date=7 July 2011 |website=eurogamer.net |accessdate=24 February 2018 |archive-date=11 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201111162531/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-07-05-la-noire-the-team-bondi-emails-article |url-status=live }} Furthermore, the source stated that the relationship between Rockstar Games and Team Bondi had been badly damaged, and that they were confident that Rockstar Games would disdain from the publisher and refuse to publish any of their future games.{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/rockstars-disdain-for-la-noire-dev |title=Rockstar's "disdain" for LA Noire dev |first=Wesley |last=Yin-Poole |date=5 July 2011 |website=Eurogamer |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501230833/https://www.eurogamer.net/rockstars-disdain-for-la-noire-dev |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.gamesradar.com/report-rockstar-wont-publish-team-bondis-follow-up-to-la-noire/ |title=Report: Rockstar won't publish Team Bondi's follow-up to LA Noire |author=Henry Gilbert |date=5 July 2011 |website=GamesRadar |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=22 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201022065708/https://www.gamesradar.com/report-rockstar-wont-publish-team-bondis-follow-up-to-la-noire/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/report-la-noire-was-development-hell-rockstar-no-long-5818019 |title=Report: LA Noire Was Development Hell, Rockstar No Longer Working With Team Bondi |first=Luke |last=Plunkett |date=5 July 2011 |website=Kotaku |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=27 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210227132044/https://kotaku.com/report-la-noire-was-development-hell-rockstar-no-long-5818019 |url-status=live }}
= Closure (2011) =
File:Brendan McNamara BAF Game 2011.png]]
In early August 2011, it was reported that Team Bondi was seeking a buyer,{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-08-04-embattled-team-bondi-seeking-buyer |title=Embattled Team Bondi seeking buyer? |first=Robert |last=Purchese |date=4 August 2011 |website=eurogamer.net |accessdate=24 February 2018 |archive-date=14 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121014024549/http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-08-04-embattled-team-bondi-seeking-buyer |url-status=live }} with McNamara being seen around the offices of Australian film studio Kennedy Miller Mitchell, believed to negotiate acquisition deals.{{cite web |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/08/rumour-team-bondi-to-be-absorbed-into-george-millers-kmm-studio-in-sydney/ |title=Rumour: Team Bondi To Be Absorbed Into George Miller's KMM Studio In Sydney |author=Mark Serrels |date=4 August 2011 |website=Kotaku Australia |access-date=1 May 2022 |archive-date=12 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112032903/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/08/rumour-team-bondi-to-be-absorbed-into-george-millers-kmm-studio-in-sydney/ |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2011/08/06/rumor-team-bondi-to-be-acquired-by-mad-max-studio-kmm/ |title=Rumor: Team Bondi to be acquired by Mad Max studio, KMM |author=Jessica Condit|date=6 August 2011 |website=Engadget |accessdate=24 February 2018}} On 9 August 2011, Kennedy Miller Mitchell announced that they had acquired all of Team Bondi's assets as well as the intellectual property to the game McNamara was presently writing the script for.{{cite web |url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/69648/report-team-bondi-sells-ip-assets |title=Report: Team Bondi sells IP, assets |author= |date= |website=Shacknews |accessdate=24 February 2018 |archive-date=3 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203015133/https://www.shacknews.com/article/69648/report-team-bondi-sells-ip-assets |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.destructoid.com/team-bondi-assets-and-ip-reportedly-sold-to-kmm/|title=Team Bondi assets and IP reportedly sold to KMM|first=Jim|last=Sterling|date=9 August 2011|website=Destructoid|accessdate=1 May 2022|archive-date=1 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501230827/https://www.destructoid.com/team-bondi-assets-and-ip-reportedly-sold-to-kmm/|url-status=live}} All employees, 35 at the time,{{cite web |url=https://www.destructoid.com/team-bondi-ex-staff-members-want-to-destroy-studio/ |title=Team Bondi: Ex-staff members want to 'destroy' studio |author=Jim Sterling |website=Destructoid |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501230825/https://www.destructoid.com/team-bondi-ex-staff-members-want-to-destroy-studio/ |url-status=live }} were given the opportunity to move to Kennedy Miller Mitchell for future employment.{{cite web |url=https://www.mcvuk.com/development-news/team-bondi-sells-off-assets-and-ip/ |title=Team Bondi 'sells off assets and IP' |date=9 August 2011 |website=MCV |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501230825/https://www.mcvuk.com/development-news/team-bondi-sells-off-assets-and-ip/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2011-08-09-team-bondi-sells-assets-staff-offered-new-roles-at-kmm |title=Team Bondi sells IP, staff offered new roles at KMM - report |first=Rachel |last=Weber |date=9 August 2011 |website=gamesindustry.biz |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=7 December 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141207011819/http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2011-08-09-team-bondi-sells-assets-staff-offered-new-roles-at-kmm |url-status=live }} Team Bondi was placed into administration on 31 August 2011.{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/the-end-is-nigh-for-la-noires-developers-5836456 |title=The End is Nigh For LA Noire's Developers |first=Luke |last=Plunkett |date= |website=Kotaku |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501230826/https://kotaku.com/the-end-is-nigh-for-la-noires-developers-5836456 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/09/01/la-noire-developer-closes-its-doors-2 |title=L.A. Noire Developer Closes Its Doors |first=Luke |last=Reilly |date=31 August 2011 |website=IGN |accessdate=24 February 2018 |archive-date=24 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210224221121/https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/09/01/la-noire-developer-closes-its-doors-2 |url-status=live }} At the request of Team Bondi's creditors, the company entered liquidation on 5 October 2011.{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2011-10-05-la-noire-developer-team-bondi-shutting-down.html |title=LA Noire developer Team Bondi shutting down |author=Alexander Sliwinski |date=5 October 2011 |website=Engadget |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501230825/https://www.engadget.com/2011-10-05-la-noire-developer-team-bondi-shutting-down.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.destructoid.com/team-bondi-officially-closing-its-doors/ |title=Team Bondi officially closing its doors |author=Jim Sterling |date=5 October 2011 |website=Destructoid |accessdate=24 February 2018 |archive-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501230826/https://www.destructoid.com/team-bondi-officially-closing-its-doors/ |url-status=live }} The liquidator, deVries Tayeh, handled the sale of Team Bondi's remaining assets and payment of outstanding debts.{{cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/liquidator-appointed-to-help-team-bondi-with-studio-closure|title=Liquidator appointed to help Team Bondi with studio closure|author=Stephany Nunneley|date=5 October 2011|website=VG247|accessdate=1 May 2022|archive-date=1 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501230834/https://www.vg247.com/liquidator-appointed-to-help-team-bondi-with-studio-closure|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/team-bondi-shut-its-doors/ |title=Team Bondi to shut its doors |author=Hollander Cooper |date=5 October 2011 |website=GamesRadar |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=9 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200809092941/https://www.gamesradar.com/team-bondi-shut-its-doors/ |url-status=live }}
Team Bondi owed over 40 creditors as much as {{AUD|1,400,000|link=yes}}, with unpaid wages or bonuses accounting for over 75% of those debts.{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/la-noire-dev-staff-owed-nearly-gbp900k |title=LA Noire dev staff owed nearly £900k |first=Wesley |last=Yin-Poole |date=7 October 2011 |website=Eurogamer |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501230832/https://www.eurogamer.net/la-noire-dev-staff-owed-nearly-gbp900k |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/team-bondi-owes-staff-1-4m-in-unpaid-wages-bonuses |title=Team Bondi Owes Staff $1.4M In Unpaid Wages, Bonuses |first=Mike |last=Rose |date=7 October 2011 |website=Game Developer |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501230825/https://www.gamedeveloper.com/business/team-bondi-owes-staff-1-4m-in-unpaid-wages-bonuses |url-status=live }} 33 staff credited for their work on L.A. Noire were owed a combined {{AUD|1,074,283.28}} in unpaid wages or bonuses.{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2011/10/07/team-bondi-owed-its-employees-over-1-million.aspx |title=Team Bondi Owes Its Employees Over $1 Million |author=Matt Helgeson |date=7 October 2011 |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=1 May 2022 |archive-date=25 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125225104/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2011/10/07/team-bondi-owed-its-employees-over-1-million.aspx |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/10/l-a-noire-studio-owes-1-million-to-employees/ |title=L.A. Noire Studio Owes $1 Million To Employees |author= |date=8 October 2011 |website=Kotaku Australia |access-date=1 May 2022 |archive-date=20 April 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140420194058/http://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/10/l-a-noire-studio-owes-1-million-to-employees/ |url-status=dead }} Among those, McNamara claimed to be owed {{US$|102,495.16}}, general manager Vicky Lord {{AUD|99,155.21}} and lead gameplay programmer David Heironymus {{AUD|43,652}}.{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/5847883/la-noire-studio-owes-1-million-to-employees--and-a-quarter-of-that-is-claimed-by-the-boss |title=L.A. Noire Studio Owes $1 Million to Employees—and a Quarter of That Is Claimed by the Boss |first=Owen |last=Good |date=7 October 2011 |website=Kotaku |accessdate=24 February 2018 |url-status=dead |archive-date=2 September 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170902145724/http://kotaku.com/5847883/la-noire-studio-owes-1-million-to-employees--and-a-quarter-of-that-is-claimed-by-the-boss }}{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2011-10-07-team-bondi-owed-1-4-million-to-employees-faces-tech-company.html |title=Team Bondi owed $1.4 million to employees, faces tech company |author=Alexander Sliwinski |date=7 October 2011 |website=Engadget |accessdate=1 May 2011 |archive-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501230827/https://www.engadget.com/2011-10-07-team-bondi-owed-1-4-million-to-employees-faces-tech-company.html |url-status=live }} Depth Analysis was also reported to be owed {{AUD|145,795.83}}.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/1402-14-million-owed-to-team-bondi-employees |title=$1.4 MILLION Owed to Team Bondi Employees |author=Daniel Bischoff |date=7 October 2011 |website=GameRevolution |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501230825/https://www.gamerevolution.com/news/1402-14-million-owed-to-team-bondi-employees |url-status=live }}
= Successors and ''Whore of the Orient'' (2011–2014) =
Following Team Bondi's liquidation, Kennedy Miller Mitchell merged the staff previously acquired from Team Bondi into their KMM Interactive Entertainment subsidiary.{{cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/report-l-a-noire-creators-next-game-is-whore-of-the-orient|title=L.A. Noire creator's next game is Whore of the Orient|author=Brenna Hillier|date=28 November 2011|website=VG247|accessdate=1 May 2022|archive-date=1 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501230829/https://www.vg247.com/report-l-a-noire-creators-next-game-is-whore-of-the-orient|url-status=live}} KMM Interactive Entertainment, based in Sydney, was established by Cory Barlog to aid getting Kennedy Miller Mitchell into the video game industry.{{cite web |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/02/god-of-war-ii-director-helping-set-up-a-sydney-game-studio/ |title=God Of War II Director Helping Set Up A Sydney Game Studio |author=Mark Serrels |date=1 February 2011 |website=Kotaku Australia |access-date=1 May 2022 |archive-date=3 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201203232753/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/02/god-of-war-ii-director-helping-set-up-a-sydney-game-studio/ |url-status=dead }} That subsidiary's first project was to be a tie-in game with the film studio's upcoming film Happy Feet Two.{{cite web |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/06/george-millers-aussie-game-studio-creating-happy-feet-2/ |title=George Miller's Aussie Game Studio Creating Happy Feet 2 |author=Mark Serrels |date=2 June 2011 |website=kotaku Australia |access-date=1 May 2022 |archive-date=29 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201029050618/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/06/george-millers-aussie-game-studio-creating-happy-feet-2/ |url-status=dead }} Many of the developers moved from Team Bondi immediately started working on the Happy Feet Two movie. McNamara's intellectual property that was acquired by Kennedy Miller Mitchell,{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-11-09-brendan-mcnamara-is-making-the-video-game-of-the-greatest-untold-story-of-the-20th-century |title=Brendan McNamara is making the video game of |first=Wesley |last=Yin-Poole |date=9 November 2011 |website=eurogamer.net |accessdate=24 February 2018 |archive-date=25 February 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210225085720/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2011-11-09-brendan-mcnamara-is-making-the-video-game-of-the-greatest-untold-story-of-the-20th-century |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/boss-of-ill-fated-l-a-noire-studio-says-his-next-game-5858961 |title=Boss of Ill-Fated L.A. Noire Studio Says His Next Game is About a 'Great Untold Story' |first=Owen |last=Good |date= |website=Kotaku |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501230826/https://kotaku.com/boss-of-ill-fated-l-a-noire-studio-says-his-next-game-5858961 |url-status=live }} which he previously described as "one of the great untold stories of the twentieth century",{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2011-11-12-team-bondi-founder-brendan-mcnamara-working-on-new-project.html |title=Team Bondi founder McNamara writing game based on a 'great untold story' |author=Owen Good |date=12 November 2011 |website=Engadget |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501230825/https://www.engadget.com/2011-11-12-team-bondi-founder-brendan-mcnamara-working-on-new-project.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/11/10/la-noire-creator-working-on-one-of-the-great-untold-stories-of-the-20th-century |title=L.A. Noire Creator Working on "One of the Great Untold Stories of the 20th Century" |first=Luke |last=Reilly |date=9 November 2011 |website=IGN |accessdate=24 February 2018 |archive-date=23 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181123163541/https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/11/10/la-noire-creator-working-on-one-of-the-great-untold-stories-of-the-20th-century |url-status=live }} was announced to be Whore of the Orient on 28 November 2011.{{cite web |url=http://www.shacknews.com/article/71267/whore-of-the-orient-is-la-noire-directors-next-game |title=Whore of the Orient is LA Noire director's next game |author=Andrew Yoon |date=November 28, 2011 |website=Shacknews |accessdate=May 1, 2022 |archive-date=14 August 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200814061356/https://www.shacknews.com/article/71267/whore-of-the-orient-is-la-noire-directors-next-game |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/the-whore-of-the-orient-is-the-next-game-from-la-noires-5862886 |title=The Whore of the Orient is the Next Game From LA Noire's Creator |first=Luke |last=Plunkett |date=28 November 2011 |website=Kotaku |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=18 October 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191018223458/https://kotaku.com/the-whore-of-the-orient-is-the-next-game-from-la-noires-5862886 |url-status=live }} Developed at KMM Interactive Entertainment, McNamara was again appointed as creative director for the game.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2011-11-28-whore-of-the-orient-is-mcnamaras-next-game |title=Whore Of The Orient to be McNamara's next game |author=Rachel Weber |date=28 November 2011 |website=gamesindustry.biz |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=4 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804170156/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2011-11-28-whore-of-the-orient-is-mcnamaras-next-game |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.mcvuk.com/development-news/mcnamara-signs-new-deal-with-mad-max-director/ |title=McNamara signs new deal with Mad Max director |author= |date= |website=MCV |accessdate=24 February 2018 |archive-date=30 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201030221639/https://www.mcvuk.com/development-news/mcnamara-signs-new-deal-with-mad-max-director/ |url-status=live }} Kennedy Miller Mitchell executive George Miller stated that he was passionate about the project because it was "four-dimensional storytelling" and that "a game can literally become the equivalent of a novel. [...] It's a movie that's played interactively at home."{{cite web |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/11/george-miller-talks-video-games-reveals-details-on-brendan-mcnamaras-new-game/ |title=George Miller Talks Video Games, Reveals Details On Brendan McNamara's New Game |author=Mark Serrels |date=28 November 2011 |website=Kotaku Australia |access-date=24 February 2018 |archive-date=28 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028111304/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2011/11/george-miller-talks-video-games-reveals-details-on-brendan-mcnamaras-new-game/ |url-status=dead }} The studio planned to go ahead with developing two new games with the support of government funding.{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2011/11/28/george-miller-talks-mad-max-game-plus-la-noire-creators-next-project |title=George Miller Talks Mad Max Game, Plus L.A. Noire Creator's Next Project |first=Luke |last=Reilly |date=27 November 2011 |website=IGN |accessdate=24 February 2018 |archive-date=4 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181104233757/https://www.ign.com/articles/2011/11/28/george-miller-talks-mad-max-game-plus-la-noire-creators-next-project |url-status=live }}
Whore of the Orient was set to be a spiritual successor to L.A. Noire.{{cite web |url=http://www.pcgamer.com/whore-of-the-orient-the-spiritual-successor-to-la-noire-isnt-going-to-happen/ |title=Whore of the Orient, the spiritual successor to LA Noire, isn't going to happen |author=Andy Chalk |date=June 24, 2016 |website=PC Gamer |accessdate=May 1, 2022 |archive-date=27 June 2016 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160627061155/http://www.pcgamer.com/whore-of-the-orient-the-spiritual-successor-to-la-noire-isnt-going-to-happen/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/la-noire-spiritual-successor-whore-of-the-orient-m/1100-6441220/ |title=L.A. Noire Spiritual Successor "Whore of the Orient" May Never Come Out |first=Eddie |last=Makuch |date=24 June 2016 |website=GameSpot |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108142612/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/la-noire-spiritual-successor-whore-of-the-orient-m/1100-6441220/ |url-status=live }} The game was targeted to be released on Microsoft Windows, PlayStation 4 and Xbox One,{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/08/30/la-noire-devs-new-game-whore-of-the-orient-is-next-gen |title=L.A. Noire Dev's New Game is Next-Gen |first=Daniel |last=Krupa |date=30 August 2012 |website=IGN |accessdate=24 February 2018 |archive-date=12 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112014550/http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/08/30/la-noire-devs-new-game-whore-of-the-orient-is-next-gen |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.vg247.com/whore-of-the-orient-la-noire-teams-new-game-revealed-for-ps4-xbox-720|title=Whore of the Orient: LA Noire team's new PS4, Xbox 720 game detailed|author=Dave Cook|date=30 August 2012|website=VG247|accessdate=1 May 2022|archive-date=1 May 2022|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501230825/https://www.vg247.com/whore-of-the-orient-la-noire-teams-new-game-revealed-for-ps4-xbox-720|url-status=live}} and set to release in 2015.{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2012/11/15/la-noire-devs-whore-of-the-orient-targeting-2015 |title=L.A. Noire Dev's Whore of the Orient Targeting 2015 |first=Andrew |last=Goldfarb |date=15 November 2012 |website=IGN |accessdate=24 February 2018 |archive-date=21 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121010322/https://www.ign.com/articles/2012/11/15/la-noire-devs-whore-of-the-orient-targeting-2015 |url-status=live }} The title of the game referred to one of the synonyms, alongside "Paris of the East", given to Shanghai, where the game would have been set.{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/gaming/2012/8/30/3279411/whore-of-the-orient-l-a-noire-team-bondi-kmm |title=Whore of the Orient coming from L.A. Noire developer for PC, next-gen consoles |first=Samit |last=Sarkar |date=30 August 2012 |website=Polygon |accessdate=24 February 2018 |archive-date=2 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190102231415/https://www.polygon.com/gaming/2012/8/30/3279411/whore-of-the-orient-l-a-noire-team-bondi-kmm |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2012/08/first-look-at-whore-of-the-orient-the-next-game-from-aussie-creators-of-l-a-noire/ |title=First Look At Whore Of The Orient, The Next Game From Aussie Creators Of L.A. Noire |author=Evan Narcisse |date=31 August 2012 |website=Kotaku Australia |access-date=1 May 2022 |archive-date=28 October 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201028110330/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2012/08/first-look-at-whore-of-the-orient-the-next-game-from-aussie-creators-of-l-a-noire/ |url-status=dead }} Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment was named to have signed a publishing deal for Whore of the Orient.{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2012-08-30-la-noire-teams-whore-of-the-orient-headed-next-gen-published.html |title=LA Noire team's 'Whore of the Orient' headed next-gen, published by WB |author=Ben Gilbert |date=30 August 2012 |website=Engadget |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501230826/https://www.engadget.com/2012-08-30-la-noire-teams-whore-of-the-orient-headed-next-gen-published.html |url-status=live }} Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment pulled out of the publishing deal again in December 2012.{{cite web|url=https://www.videogamer.com/news/rumour-team-bondi-staff-laid-off-after-warner-drops-whore-of-the-orient|title=Rumour: Team Bondi staff laid off after Warner drops Whore of the Orient|author=David Scammell|date=18 April 2013|website=VideoGamer|accessdate=1 May 2022|archive-date=15 June 2018|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180615190923/https://www.videogamer.com/news/rumour-team-bondi-staff-laid-off-after-warner-drops-whore-of-the-orient|url-status=live}}{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/team-bondi-staff-sacked-whore-of-the-orient-development-on-hold-report |title=Team Bondi staff sacked, Whore of the Orient development on hold - report |first=Tom |last=Phillips |date=18 April 2013 |website=Eurogamer |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501230831/https://www.eurogamer.net/team-bondi-staff-sacked-whore-of-the-orient-development-on-hold-report |url-status=live }} As a result of this, and due to general investment issues,{{cite magazine |url=https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/04/18/team-bondi-39-s-next-gen-game-reportedly-in-trouble.aspx |title=Report: Team Bondi's Next-Gen Game In Trouble |author=Matthew Kato |date=18 April 2013 |magazine=Game Informer |access-date=1 May 2022 |archive-date=25 January 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210125071105/https://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/04/18/team-bondi-39-s-next-gen-game-reportedly-in-trouble.aspx |url-status=live }} KMM Interactive Entertainment was shut down in April 2013, and all staff was let go.{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2013/4/18/4238408/layoffs-hit-whore-of-the-orient-development-studio |title=Layoffs hit Whore of the Orient development studio |first=Brian |last=Crecente |date=18 April 2013 |website=Polygon |accessdate=24 February 2018 |archive-date=2 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190102231427/https://www.polygon.com/2013/4/18/4238408/layoffs-hit-whore-of-the-orient-development-studio |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/whore-of-the-orient-development-on-hold-as-staff-are-laid-off-report/1100-6407194/ |title=Whore of the Orient development on hold as staff are laid off - Report |first=Martin |last=Gaston |date=18 April 2013 |website=GameSpot |accessdate=24 February 2018 |archive-date=25 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225210514/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/whore-of-the-orient-development-on-hold-as-staff-are-laid-off-report/1100-6407194/ |url-status=live }} Although not made official, it was widely believed that Whore of the Orient was effectively cancelled with the studio closure.{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/04/18/whore-of-the-orient-team-shut-down |title=Whore of the Orient Team Shut Down |first=Luke |last=Reilly |date=18 April 2013 |website=IGN |accessdate=24 February 2018 |archive-date=21 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181121131024/https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/04/18/whore-of-the-orient-team-shut-down |url-status=live }} Regardless, the game received a {{AUD|200,000}} investment from Australian government agency Screen NSW in June 2013.{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2013/6/21/4451820/whore-of-the-orient-team-receives-200k-from-australian-government |title=Whore of the Orient team receives $200K from Australian government agency |first=Alexa Ray |last=Corriea |date=21 June 2013 |website=Polygon |accessdate=24 February 2018 |archive-date=4 April 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190404044011/https://www.polygon.com/2013/6/21/4451820/whore-of-the-orient-team-receives-200k-from-australian-government |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesradar.com/whore-orient-production-gets-200000-funding/ |title=Whore of the Orient production gets $200,000 funding |author=Connor Sheridan |date=24 June 2013 |website=GamesRadar |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=23 September 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150923111223/http://www.gamesradar.com/whore-orient-production-gets-200000-funding/ |url-status=live }} Some journalists noted that the move felt rather illogical, as the development had previously been rather slow, and now that the game's studio had closed, the investment would not be of use for the agency.{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/06/21/team-bondis-whore-of-the-orient-receives-funding |title=Team Bondi's Whore of the Orient Receives Funding |first=Mitch |last=Dyer |date=21 June 2013 |website=IGN |accessdate=24 February 2018 |archive-date=30 July 2013 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130730050906/http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/06/21/team-bondis-whore-of-the-orient-receives-funding |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.escapistmagazine.com/Whore-of-the-Orient-Devs-Score-200k-From-Aussie-Govt/ |title=Whore of the Orient Devs Score $200k From Aussie Gov't |author=Ian Davis |date=21 June 2013 |website=The Escapist |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501230827/http://www.escapistmagazine.com/Whore-of-the-Orient-Devs-Score-200k-From-Aussie-Govt/ |url-status=live }} Furthermore, Whore of the Orient attracted controversy in September 2013, when City of Monash councillor Jieh-Yung Lo stated that he was offended by the game's title, it being a "disgrace to Chinese culture",{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2013/9/2/4684922/whore-of-the-orient-title-under-fire-for-being-racially-insensitive |title=Whore of the Orient title under fire for being racially insensitive |first=Jenna |last=Pitcher |date=2 September 2013 |website=Polygon |accessdate=24 February 2018 |archive-date=12 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201112011234/https://www.polygon.com/2013/9/2/4684922/whore-of-the-orient-title-under-fire-for-being-racially-insensitive |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-09-02-whore-of-the-orient-offends-australian-councillor |title=Whore Of The Orient offends Australian councillor |author=Rachel Weber |date=22 September 2013 |website=gamesindustry.biz |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=16 June 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180616053925/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-09-02-whore-of-the-orient-offends-australian-councillor |url-status=live }} daring to report the game to the Human Rights Commission.{{cite web |url=https://www.kotaku.com.au/2013/09/monash-councillor-wants-to-report-whore-of-the-orient-to-the-human-rights-commission/ |title=Monash Councillor Wants To Report 'Whore Of The Orient' To The Human Rights Commission |author=Mark Serrels |date=2 September 2013 |website=Kotaku Australia |access-date=24 February 2018 |archive-date=25 February 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180225210328/https://www.kotaku.com.au/2013/09/monash-councillor-wants-to-report-whore-of-the-orient-to-the-human-rights-commission/ |url-status=dead }} Lo further underlined "It's the use of the word 'Orient', more even than the word 'whore', that is the issue. [...] The O-word is very similar to the N-word for African-American communities."{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/09/02/whore-of-the-orients-name-comes-under-fire |title=Whore of the Orient's Name Comes Under Fire |first=Luke |last=Karmali |date=2 September 2013 |website=IGN |accessdate=24 February 2018 |archive-date=19 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181119085358/https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/09/02/whore-of-the-orients-name-comes-under-fire |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-09-02-whore-of-the-orient-branded-a-disgrace-to-chinese-culture |title=Whore of the Orient branded a "disgrace to Chinese culture" |first=Wesley |last=Yin-Poole |date=2 September 2013 |website=eurogamer.net |accessdate=24 February 2018 |archive-date=31 December 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201231111417/https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2013-09-02-whore-of-the-orient-branded-a-disgrace-to-chinese-culture |url-status=live }} Whore of the Orient was not heard of from that point on; when asked about the game's status in a June 2014 podcast hosted on Gamehugs, producer Derek Proud stated "I don't think so", implying that the game had been cancelled.{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/06/24/whore-of-the-orient-not-likely-to-be-released |title=Whore of the Orient Not Likely to Be Released |first=Nicole |last=Carpenter |date=24 June 2016 |website=IGN |accessdate=24 February 2018 |archive-date=8 November 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201108113318/http://www.ign.com/articles/2016/06/24/whore-of-the-orient-not-likely-to-be-released |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/sounds-like-team-bondis-whore-of-the-orient-is-long-dead |title=Sounds like Team Bondi's Whore of the Orient is long dead |first=Robert |last=Purchese |date=24 June 2016 |website=Eurogamer |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501230830/https://www.eurogamer.net/sounds-like-team-bondis-whore-of-the-orient-is-long-dead |url-status=live }}
Meanwhile, on 28 May 2013, Whore of the Orient lead designer Alex Carlyle and storyboard artist Kelly Baigent announced that they had founded Intuitive Game Studios as a successor to both Team Bondi and KMM Interactive Entertainment.{{cite web |url=https://www.vg247.com/la-noire-devs-found-new-sydney-indie |title=LA Noire devs found new Sydney indie |author=Brenna Hillier |date=28 May 2013 |website=VG247 |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501230832/https://www.vg247.com/la-noire-devs-found-new-sydney-indie |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2013/05/29/la-noire-creators-form-indie-studio |title=LA Noire Creators Form Indie Studio |first=Marty |last=Sliva |date=29 May 2013 |website=IGN |accessdate=24 February 2018 |archive-date=22 November 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181122062338/https://www.ign.com/articles/2013/05/29/la-noire-creators-form-indie-studio |url-status=live }} Carlyle explained that he wanted to stay in Australia to work in the domestic video game industry, unlike some of his colleagues, who moved abroad, such as to Canada, to further pursue such ventures.{{cite web |url=https://www.engadget.com/2013-05-28-l-a-noire-whore-of-the-orient-vets-form-intuitive-game-studios.html |title=L.A. Noire, Whore of the Orient vets form Intuitive Game Studios |author=Jessica Conditt |date=28 May 2013 |website=Engadget |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=1 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220501230827/https://www.engadget.com/2013-05-28-l-a-noire-whore-of-the-orient-vets-form-intuitive-game-studios.html |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.polygon.com/2013/5/28/4371962/former-la-noire-devs-establish-a-new-indie-game-dev-studio |title=Former LA Noire and Whore of the Orient devs establish a new indie game studio (update) |first=Jenna |last=Pitcher |date=28 May 2013 |website=Polygon |accessdate=24 February 2018 |archive-date=2 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190102231420/https://www.polygon.com/2013/5/28/4371962/former-la-noire-devs-establish-a-new-indie-game-dev-studio |url-status=live }} Furthermore, Carlyle's personal website implied that the two-man studio would be working on an original intellectual property named Canonical Five.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-05-28-team-bondi-vets-form-intuitive-game-studios |title=Team Bondi vets form Intuitive Game Studios |author=Brendan Sinclair |date=28 May 2013 |website=gamesindustry.biz |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=4 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804140543/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-05-28-team-bondi-vets-form-intuitive-game-studios |url-status=live }} Like Whore of the Orient, Canonical Five received funding from Screen NSW, amounting to {{AUD|30,451}}.{{cite web |url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-06-24-whore-of-the-orient-secures-USD200-000-in-funds |title=Whore Of The Orient secures $200,000 in funds |author=Rachel Weber |date=24 June 2013 |website=gamesindustry.biz |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=4 August 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180804140832/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2013-06-24-whore-of-the-orient-secures-USD200-000-in-funds |url-status=live }}
McNamara founded Sydney-based studio Video Games Deluxe in 2013, whose first release was L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files in 2017. In 2020, the studio announced they were working on a "AAA open-world VR game" for Rockstar Games.{{cite web |url=https://www.escapistmagazine.com/rockstar-vr-aaa-open-world-game-video-games-deluxe-la-noire-the-vr-case-files-studio/ |title=Rockstar AAA Open-World VR Game in Development at Video Games Deluxe |author= |date= |website=The Escapist |accessdate=1 May 2022 |archive-date=23 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220523114225/https://www.escapistmagazine.com/rockstar-vr-aaa-open-world-game-video-games-deluxe-la-noire-the-vr-case-files-studio/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web|url=https://www.pcgamer.com/la-noire-vr-developer-says-its-working-on-an-open-world-vr-game-for-rockstar/|title=LA Noire VR developer says it's working on an open-world VR game for Rockstar|author=Fraser Brown|date=6 July 2020|website=PC Gamer|accessdate=1 May 2022|archive-date=10 July 2020|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200710075819/https://www.pcgamer.com/la-noire-vr-developer-says-its-working-on-an-open-world-vr-game-for-rockstar/|url-status=live}} In October 2021, the project was revealed to be a VR version of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas.{{cite web |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/grand-theft-auto-san-andreas-is-coming-to-vr/ |title=Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is coming to VR |last=Fenlon |first=Wes |work=PC Gamer |publisher=Future plc |date=28 October 2021 |accessdate=17 February 2025 |archive-date=29 October 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211029004950/https://www.pcgamer.com/grand-theft-auto-san-andreas-is-coming-to-vr/ |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.videogamer.com/news/grand-theft-auto-san-andreas-vr-looks-to-be-made-by-former-la-noire-developers/ |title=Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas VR looks to be made by former LA Noire developers |last=Borthwick |first=Ben |work=VideoGamer.com |publisher=Resero |date=1 November 2021 |access-date=17 February 2025 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211101175625/https://www.videogamer.com/news/grand-theft-auto-san-andreas-vr-looks-to-be-made-by-former-la-noire-developers/ |archive-date=1 November 2021 |url-status=live }} Following the release of the Meta Quest 3 in October 2023, players questioned the status of the VR version and some suspected it may have been quietly cancelled.{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/gta-san-andreas-vr-port-meta-quest-2-canceled-trailer-1850497164 |title=Remember GTA: San Andreas VR? Fans Aren't Letting Meta Forget |last=Zwiezen |first=Zack |work=Kotaku |publisher=G/O Media |date=1 June 2023 |accessdate=17 February 2025 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231111144853/https://kotaku.com/gta-san-andreas-vr-port-meta-quest-2-canceled-trailer-1850497164 |archivedate=11 November 2023 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/meta-staying-quiet-on-status-of-grand-theft-auto-san-andreas-vr |title=Meta staying quiet on status of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas VR |last=Kennedy |first=Victoria |work=Eurogamer |publisher=Gamer Network |date=10 October 2023 |accessdate=17 February 2025 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20231012191435/https://www.eurogamer.net/meta-staying-quiet-on-status-of-grand-theft-auto-san-andreas-vr |archivedate=12 October 2023 |url-status=live }} Meta said the port was "on hold indefinitely" in August 2024.{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/15/24221315/meta-vr-version-gta-san-andreas-on-hold |title=Meta's VR version of GTA: San Andreas is 'on hold indefinitely' |last=Peters |first=Jay |work=The Verge |publisher=Vox Media |date=15 August 2024 |accessdate=17 February 2025 |archive-date=15 August 2024 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240815203923/https://www.theverge.com/2024/8/15/24221315/meta-vr-version-gta-san-andreas-on-hold |url-status=live }} Meanwhile, Video Games Deluxe developed the mobile versions of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition in 2023, and took over post-release development for the other platforms from Grove Street Games in 2024.{{cite web |url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/grand-theft-auto-the-trilogy-gets-long-overdue-console-patch/1100-6527714/ |title=Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy Gets Long Overdue Console Patch |last=Marnell |first=Blair |work=GameSpot |publisher=Red Ventures |date=12 November 2024 |access-date=17 February 2025 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241112200841/https://www.gamespot.com/articles/grand-theft-auto-the-trilogy-gets-long-overdue-console-patch/1100-6527714/ |archivedate=12 November 2024 |url-status=live }}{{cite web |url=https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/11/gta-trilogy-update-removes-dev-from-splash-screen-ceo-responds |title=GTA Trilogy Update Removes Dev From Splash Screen, CEO Responds |last=Doolan |first=Liam |work=Nintendo Life |publisher=Hookshot Media |date=15 November 2024 |accessdate=17 February 2025 |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20241119024657/https://www.nintendolife.com/news/2024/11/gta-trilogy-update-removes-dev-from-splash-screen-ceo-responds |archivedate=19 November 2024 |url-status=live }} In March 2025, Video Games Deluxe was acquired by Rockstar Games, who rebranded the studio as Rockstar Australia.{{cite web |last1=Yin- Poole |first1=Wesley |title=Rockstar Buys Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition Developer, Renames It Rockstar Australia |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/rockstar-buys-grand-theft-auto-the-trilogy-the-definitive-edition-developer-renames-it-rockstar-australia |website=IGN |access-date=3 March 2025}}
Games developed
| class="wikitable plainrowheaders"
! scope="col" | Year ! scope="col" | Title ! scope="col" | Platform(s) ! scope="col" | Publisher(s) |
| scope="row" | 2011
| Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 3, PlayStation 4, Windows, Xbox 360, Xbox One |
|---|