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Overview

Rockstar Games is an American video game developer and publisher, and the studio behind Grand Theft Auto VI. Founded in December 1998 as a subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar has grown into one of the most influential and commercially successful game studios in the world. The company is best known for the Grand Theft Auto series, Red Dead Redemption, Max Payne, Bully, L.A. Noire, and Midnight Club.

History

Founding

Rockstar Games was established in December 1998 by Sam Houser, Dan Houser, Terry Donovan, Jamie King, and Gary Foreman, all of whom worked for Take-Two Interactive at the time. The formation was formally announced on January 22, 1999. The studio was created using assets Take-Two had acquired from BMG Interactive, the publishing arm that had released the original Grand Theft Auto in 1997. Rockstar was envisioned as Take-Two's "high-end" publishing label, focused on creating premium, narrative-driven games.

Rise to Prominence

Rockstar's breakthrough came with Grand Theft Auto III in 2001, which pioneered the 3D open-world action genre and became a cultural phenomenon. The game sold over 14.5 million copies and established the template that would define open-world game design for decades. GTA: Vice City (2002) and GTA: San Andreas (2004) followed, each pushing the boundaries of scope and storytelling. By the mid-2000s, Rockstar was one of the most recognized brands in gaming.

Modern Era

Grand Theft Auto IV (2008) earned over $500 million in its first week. Grand Theft Auto V (2013) shattered entertainment records, earning $1 billion within three days of release. As of late 2025, GTA V has sold over 225 million copies, making it one of the best-selling video games of all time. Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018) was critically acclaimed and has sold over 82 million copies. GTA Online, the multiplayer component of GTA V, has generated billions in revenue through microtransactions and continues to receive regular content updates.

Parent Company

Rockstar Games is a wholly owned subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. (NASDAQ: TTWO), a publicly traded video game holding company headquartered in New York City. Take-Two also owns 2K Games (publisher of NBA 2K, Civilization, and Borderlands), Private Division, and Zynga (acquired in 2022 for $12.7 billion). Take-Two reported net revenue of approximately $5.6 billion for fiscal year 2024. Rockstar's titles consistently account for a significant portion of Take-Two's revenue and market valuation.

Studio Locations

Rockstar operates as a collaborative network of studios around the world. While individual studios have historically been credited on specific titles, modern Rockstar productions like GTA VI involve contributions from all studios simultaneously. As of 2026, Rockstar's active studios include the following.

Key Franchises

Development of GTA VI

Grand Theft Auto VI was first officially confirmed by Rockstar in February 2022 via a brief statement on Twitter. The game's first trailer dropped on December 4, 2023, and Trailer 2 followed on May 6, 2025. The game is set in the fictional state of Leonida, based on Florida, and is scheduled for release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S on November 19, 2026. Development has involved all of Rockstar's studios working collaboratively, representing the company's largest production to date.