## Overview Rockstar Games is an American video game publisher and developer renowned for creating some of the most influential, commercially successful, and culturally significant video game franchises in history, including **Grand Theft Auto**, **Red Dead Redemption**, **Max Payne**, **Midnight Club**, **Manhunt**, **Bully**, and **L.A. Noire**[4][5]. Headquartered in New York City, Rockstar operates as a wholly owned subsidiary of Take-Two Interactive and is celebrated for its focus on open-world gameplay, cinematic storytelling, and immersive virtual environments[6][7]. ## History Rockstar Games was officially founded in December 1998, following Take-Two Interactive’s acquisition of BMG Interactive, which included the rights to DMA Design’s **Grand Theft Auto** series[1][2]. The Houser brothers—Sam and Dan—along with Leslie Benzies, played pivotal roles in shaping the company’s creative direction[2]. In 1999, Rockstar acquired DMA Design (later renamed Rockstar North), the Scottish studio behind the original **GTA**, cementing its place in the industry[2][4]. The company quickly expanded, establishing studios worldwide and developing a reputation for pushing creative and technical boundaries. ## Key Achievements Rockstar’s breakthrough came in 2001 with **Grand Theft Auto III**, which revolutionized open-world gaming by introducing a fully 3D, living city for players to explore—a formula that has since become an industry standard[1][2]. The **GTA** series has gone on to break sales records, with **GTA V** (2013) becoming one of the best-selling entertainment products of all time, generating billions in revenue and maintaining an active player base through **GTA Online**[6]. **Red Dead Redemption** and its sequel further demonstrated Rockstar’s ability to craft compelling narratives and vast, dynamic worlds, earning widespread critical acclaim and commercial success