Rockstar Games: Difference between revisions

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[[Image:Rockstar Games.png|thumb|right|155px|The Rockstar Games Logo.]]
[[Image:Rockstar Games.png|thumb|right|155px|The Rockstar Games logo.]]
'''Rockstar Games''' is a development division of video game publisher [[Take-Two Interactive]]. The brand is most known for the [[Grand Theft Auto]] series. It is comprised of studios that have been acquired and renamed as well as others that have been created internally. While many of the studios that Take-Two has acquired have been merged into the Rockstar brand, several other recent ones have retained their previous identities and have become part of the company's 2K Games division.


The Rockstar Games label was founded in 1998 by [[Sam Houser]], [[Terry Donovan]], [[Dan Houser]], Jamie King and Gary Foreman. Donovan has since left the company, to be replaced by former [[Capcom]] managing director, [[Gary Dale]]. Dale, along with Sam and Dan Houser is the leadership now.
'''Rockstar Games''' is a development division of video game publisher [[Take-Two Interactive]] that comprised of studios that have been acquired and renamed as well as others that have been created internally. Rockstar Games is most known for managing [[Rockstar North]] and [[Rockstar Leeds]], studios that have been for most parts responsible for developing the [[Grand Theft Auto]] series.
 
== Organization ==
The Rockstar Games label was founded in 1998 by [[Sam Houser]], [[Terry Donovan]], [[Dan Houser]], Jamie King and Gary Foreman. Donovan has since left the company, to be replaced by former [[Capcom]] managing director, [[Gary Dale]]. Dale, along with Sam and Dan Houser is the leadership now. Rockstar Games is headquartered in New York City, United States.
 
While many of the studios that Take-Two has acquired have been merged into the Rockstar brand, several other recent ones have retained their previous identities and have become part of the company's 2K Games division. Although Rockstar Games studios tend to concentrate on their own game development, collaborative projects involving multiple Rockstar Games studios have occurred (i.e. with [[wp:Red Dead Redemption|Red Dead Redemption]], [[wp:L.A. Noire|L.A. Noire]] and [[wp:Max Payne 3|Max Payne 3]]), and certain elements from games developed by a Rockstar Games studio can emerge in games from another studio. In addition, many current Rockstar Games titles utilize the [[Rockstar Advanced Game Engine]], a dedicated game engine developed by [[Rockstar San Diego]]. Rockstar Games has also conducted limited merger exercises on studios, such as the absorption of [[Rockstar Vancouver]] into [[Rockstar Toronto]].
 
Due to Rockstar Games rebranding policy of acquired studios, misconceptions of Rockstar Games being a single game developer are not uncommon, often assuming all games released under the Rockstar Games label are created by the same development team.


== Rockstar studios ==
== Rockstar studios ==
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!Logo
!Logo
!Name
!Name
!Location
!Previous Name
!Notes
!Notes
|-
|-
|[[Image:Rockstar Leeds Logo.png|30px]]
|[[Image:Rockstar Leeds Logo.png|30px]]
|[[Rockstar Leeds]]
|[[Rockstar Leeds]]
|Based in Leeds, England. Previously known as ''Mobius Entertainment'' and are based in the Stanningley district of Leeds. They helped create the three [[PSP]] GTA games.
|[[wp:Leeds|Leeds]], England
|Mobius Entertainment
|Based in the Stanningley district of Leeds. They helped create the three [[PSP]] GTA games.
|-
|-
|[[Image:Rockstar Lincoln.png|30px]]
|[[Image:Rockstar Lincoln.png|30px]]
|[[Rockstar Lincoln]]
|[[Rockstar Lincoln]]
|Based in Lincoln, England. Quality assurance and localization studio, formerly ''Tarantula Studios''.
|[[wp: Lincoln, England|Lincoln]], England
|Tarantula Studios
|Quality assurance and localization studio
|-
|-
|[[Image:Rockstar London Logo.png|30px]]
|[[Image:Rockstar London Logo.png|30px]]
|[[Rockstar London]]
|[[Rockstar London]]
|Based in London, England. Formed in November 2005. Worked on ''Manhunt 2''.
|[[wp: London| London]], England
|n/a
|Formed in November 2005. Worked on ''Manhunt 2''.
|-
|-
|[[Image:Rockstar New England logo.png|30px]]
|[[Image:Rockstar New England logo.png|30px]]
|[[Rockstar New England]]
|[[Rockstar New England]]
|Based in Andover, Massachusetts. Formerly ''Mad Doc Software''. Incorporated in 2008, they are the newest subsidiary of Rockstar, and are best known for ''Empire Earth III''.
|[[wp: Andover, Massachusetts| Andover]], US
|Mad Doc Software
|Incorporated in 2008, they are best known for ''Empire Earth III''.
|-
|-
|[[Image:Rockstar North Logo.png|30px]]
|[[Image:Rockstar North Logo.png|30px]]
|[[Rockstar North]]
|[[Rockstar North]]
|Based in Edinburgh, Scotland. The best known Rockstar company. They were previously known as [[DMA Design]]. They are famous for their ''[[Grand Theft Auto]]'' series and ''[[Manhunt]]''.
|[[wp: Edinburgh| Edinburgh]], Scotland
|[[DMA Design]]
|The best known Rockstar company. They are famous for the ''[[Grand Theft Auto]]'' series and ''[[Manhunt]]''.
|-
|-
|[[Image:Rockstar San Diego Logo.png|30px]]
|[[Image:Rockstar San Diego Logo.png|30px]]
|[[Rockstar San Diego]]
|[[Rockstar San Diego]]
|
|[[wp: Carlsbad, California| Carlsbad]], US
Based in Carlsbad, California, a suburb of San Diego. Previously known as ''Angel Studios'' of ''Midtown Madness'', ''Midnight Club'', ''Red Dead Revolver'' fame, and the newly released and critically acclaimed, ''Red Dead Redemption''.
|Angel Studios
|Based in a suburb of San Diego, the creators of ''Midtown Madness'', ''Midnight Club'' and ''Red Dead Revolver'', and the recent ''Red Dead Redemption''.
|-
|-
|[[Image:Rockstar Toronto Logo.png|30px]]
|[[Image:Rockstar Toronto Logo.png|30px]]
|[[Rockstar Toronto]]
|[[Rockstar Toronto]]
|Based in Oakville, Ontario, a suburb of Toronto. Take Two's in-house development team, previously known as Rockstar Canada. Their most well-known work is their adaptation of the cult classic film ''The Warriors''.
|[[wp: Oakville, Ontario| Oakville]], Canada
|Rockstar Canada
|[[Take Two]]'s in-house development team, based in the outskirts of Toronto. Their most well-known work is their adaptation of the cult classic film ''The Warriors''.
|-
|-
|[[Image:Rockstar Vancouver Logo.png|30px]]
|[[Image:Rockstarjapan.png|30px]]
|[[Rockstar Vancouver]]
|[[Rockstar Japan]]
|Based in Vancouver, British Columbia. Previously known as ''Barking Dog Studios''. They have released ''[[Bully]]''.
|[[wp: Tokyo| Tokyo]], Japan
|n/a
|The studio was founded in 2005. Works in conjunction with developer [[Capcom]] on Japanese localizations of numerous games by Rockstar. Also known as 'Rockstar Games Tokyo'.
|}
 
===Former studios ===
{|class="wikitable"
!Logo
!Name
!Location
!Previous Names
!Notes
|-
|-
|[[Image:Rockstar Vienna Logo.png|30px]]
|[[File:Rockstar Vienna Logo.png|30px]]
|[[Rockstar Vienna]]
|[[Rockstar Vienna]]
|Based in Vienna, Austria. Previously known as ''neo Software''; closed on May 11, 2006. Worked on ''Max Payne ''and ''Max Payne 2 ''and the [[Grand Theft Auto: Double Pack|''Grand Theft Auto: Double Pack'']].
|[[wp: Vienna| Vienna]], Austria
|Neo Software
|The studio was purchased by Rockstar Games in [[2003]], having been founded in [[1993]], and was closed on May 11, [[2006]]. Worked on [[:wp:Max Payne (series)|the Max Payne series]], parts of [[Manhunt 2]]] and the [[Grand Theft Auto: Double Pack]].
|-
|[[File:Rockstar Vancouver Logo.png|30px]]
|[[Rockstar Vancouver]]
|[[wp: Vancouver| Vancouver]], Canada
|Barking Dog Studios
|They created [[Bully]] and [[Max Payne 3]], as well as worked on the [[Grand Theft Auto: Double Pack]]. Dismantled and merged with [[Rockstar Toronto]] in [[2012]].
|-
|-
|[[Image:Rockstarjapan.png|30px]]
|[[Rockstar Japan]]
|
Based in Tokyo, Japan. The studio was founded in 2005. Works in conjunction with developer [[Capcom]] on Japanese localizations of numerous games by Rockstar. Also known as 'Rockstar Games Tokyo'.
|}
|}


== Other companies that have developed for Rockstar Games ==
== Other companies that have developed for Rockstar Games ==
* [[wp:Bungie|Bungie]], of ''Halo'' fame, developed the game ''Oni''. Before Bungie was bought by Microsoft, ''Halo'' was to be released on PC, Mac, [[PlayStation 2]] and [[Dreamcast|Sega Dreamcast]] with Rockstar as the game's publisher.
* [[wp:Bungie|Bungie]], of ''Halo'' fame, developed the game ''Oni''. Before Bungie was bought by Microsoft, ''Halo'' was to be released on PC, Mac, [[PlayStation 2]] and [[Dreamcast|Sega Dreamcast]], alongside the [[Xbox]], with Rockstar as the game's publisher.
* [[Capcom]] had early development in Rockstar San Diego's ''Red Dead Revolver'' and currently owns the publishing rights to the [[Grand Theft Auto]] series in [[Japan]].
* [[Capcom]] had early development in Rockstar San Diego's ''Red Dead Revolver'' and currently owns the publishing rights to the [[Grand Theft Auto]] series in [[Japan]].
* [[wp:Dubtitled|Dubtitled]], in collaboration with ''Mic Neumann'' on ''State of Emergency'' and ''Grand Theft Auto'' series.
* [[wp:Dubtitled|Dubtitled]], in collaboration with ''Mic Neumann'' on ''State of Emergency'' and ''Grand Theft Auto'' series.
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* [[wp:Pixelogic|Pixelogic]] developed ''The Italian Job''.
* [[wp:Pixelogic|Pixelogic]] developed ''The Italian Job''.
* [[wp:Remedy Entertainment|Remedy Entertainment]] developed the ''Max Payne'' games.
* [[wp:Remedy Entertainment|Remedy Entertainment]] developed the ''Max Payne'' games.
* [[wp:Team Bondi|Team Bondi]] is currently developing ''L.A. Noire'' for Rockstar.
* [[wp:Team Bondi|Team Bondi]] has developed and released ''L.A. Noire'' for Rockstar.
* [[wp:VIS Entertainment|VIS Entertainment]] is known for developing the ''State of Emergency'' game.
* [[wp:VIS Entertainment|VIS Entertainment]] is known for developing the ''State of Emergency'' game.
* [[wp:Z-Axis|Z-Axis]] developed ''Thrasher presents Skate and Destroy''.
* [[wp:Z-Axis|Z-Axis]] developed ''Thrasher presents Skate and Destroy''.
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==Works==
==Works==
===Notable Games & Series===
===Notable games and series===
*''[[Grand Theft Auto]]''
*''[[Grand Theft Auto]]'' series (1997—pres.)
*''[[Manhunt]]'' series (2003, 2007)
*''[[Max Payne]]'' (2001—2012)
*''[[Bully]]'' (including the ''Scholarship Edition'') (2006, 2008)
*''Midnight Club'' series (2000—pres.)
*''Oni'' (2001)
*''Red Dead'' series (2004, 2010)
*''Smuggler's Run'' (2000—2002)
*''Table Tennis'' (2006)
*''The Warriors'' (2005)
*''Wild Metal'' (2004)
*''L.A. Noire'' (2011)


*''Red Dead Redemption''
===Full game list===
*''[[Manhunt]]''
*''[[Grand Theft Auto 1]]'' (1997)
*''The Warriors''
*''[[Grand Theft Auto: London 1969]]''
*''Max Payne''
*''[[wp:Earthworm Jim 3D|Earthworm Jim 3D]]'' (1999)
*''LA Noire <small>(Uncomfirmed release date)</small>''
*''Evel Knievel: The Game'' (1999)
*''[[Bully]] (including 'Scholarship Edition')''
*''[[Grand Theft Auto: London 1961]]'' (1999)
*''Table Tennis''
*''[[Grand Theft Auto 2]]'' (1999)
*''Midnight Club series''
*''[[wp:Thrasher Presents Skate and Destroy|Thrahser Presents Skate and Destroy]]'' (1999)
*''Oni''
*''Austin Powers: Oh Behave!'' (2000)
*''Wild Metal''
*''[[wp:Austin Powers: Welcome to My Underground Lair!|Austin Powers: Welcome to My Underground Lair!]]'' (2000)
*''Smuggler's Run''
*''[[wp:Wild Metal: Reclaim the Future|Wild Metal: Reclaim the Future]]'' (2000)
*''[[wp:Midnight Club: Street Racing|Midnight Club: Street Racing]]'' (2000)
*''Surfing H30'' (2000)
*''[[wp:Smuggler's Run|Smuggler's Run]]'' (2000)
*''[[wp:Smuggler's Run 2: Hostile Territory|Smuggler's Run 2: Hostile Territory]]'' (2001)
*''[[wp:Oni|Oni]]'' (2001)
*''[[wp:Max Payne|Max Payne]]'' (2001)
*''[[Grand Theft Auto III]]'' (2001)
*''[[wp:The Italian Job (2001 video game)|The Italian Job]]'' (2001)
*''[[wp:State of Emergency|State of Emergency]]'' (2002)
*''[[wp:Smuggler's Run Warzones|Smuggler's Run Warzones]]'' (2002)
*''[[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City]]'' (2002)
*''[[wp:Midnight Club II|Midnight Club II]]'' (2003)
*''[[wp:Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne|Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne]]'' (2003)
*''[[Manhunt]]'' (2003)
*''[[wp:Red Dead Revolver|Red Dead Revolver]]'' (2004)
*''[[Grand Theft Auto Advance]] (2004)
*''[[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]] (2004)
*''[[wp:Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition|Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition]]'' (2005)
*''[[wp:The Warriors (video game)|The Warriors]]'' (2005)
*''[[Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories]]'' (2005)
*''[[wp:Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition Remix|Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition Remix]]'' (2006)
*''[[wp:Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis|Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis]]'' (2006)
*''[[Bully]] '' (2006)
*''[[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories]]'' (2006)
*''[[Manhunt 2]] '' (2007)
*''[[wp:Bully: Scholarship Edition|Bully Scholarship Edition]]'' (2008)
*''[[Grand Theft Auto IV]]'' (2008)
*''[[wp:Midnight Club Los Angeles|Midnight Club Los Angeles]]'' (2008)
*''[[wp:Midnight Club LA Remix|Midnight Club LA Remix]]'' (2008)
*''[[The Lost and Damned|Grand Theft Auto: The Lost and Damned]]'' (2009)
*''[[Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars]]'' (2009)
*''[[wp:Beaterator|Beaterator]]'' (2009)
*''[[The Ballad of Gay Tony|Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony]]'' (2009)
*''[[Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City]]'' (2009)
*''[[wp:Red Dead Redemption|Red Dead Redemption]]'' (2010)
*''[[wp:Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare|Red Dead Redemption: Undead Nightmare]]'' (2010)
*''[[wp:L.A. Noire|L.A. Noire]]'' (2011)
*''[[Max Payne 3]]'' (2012)
*''[[Grand Theft Auto V]] (In development, 2013)
*''[[wp:Agent (video game)|Agent]]'' (In development, release date TBA)


===Films===
===Films===
Rockstar Games are credited as executive producers of [[Sunday Driver]] and ''The Football Factory''.
Rockstar Games are credited as executive producers of [[Sunday Driver]] and ''The Football Factory''.
===Full list of Games:===
*''[[wp:Earthworm Jim 3D|Earthworm Jim 3D]]''
*''Evel Knievel: The Game''
*''[[Grand Theft Auto 2]]''
*''[[wp:Thrasher Presents Skate and Destroy|Thrahser Presents Skate and Destroy]]''
*''Austin Powers: Oh Behave!''
*''[[wp:Austin Powers: Welcome to My Underground Lair!|Austin Powers: Welcome to My Underground Lair!]]''
*''[[wp:Wild Metal: Reclaim the Future|Wild Metal: Reclaim the Future]]''
*''[[wp:Midnight Club: Street Racing|Midnight Club: Street Racing]]''
*''Surfing H30''
*''[[wp:Smuggler's Run|Smuggler's Run]]''
*''[[wp:Smuggler's Run 2: Hostile Territory|Smuggler's Run 2: Hostile Territory]]''
*''[[wp:Oni|Oni]]''
*''[[wp:Max Payne|Max Payne]]''
*[[Grand Theft Auto III|''Grand Theft Auto III'']]
*''[[wp:The Italian Job (2001 video game)|The Italian Job]]''
*''[[wp:State of Emergency|State of Emergency]]''
*''[[wp:Smuggler's Run Warzones|Smuggler's Run Warzones]]''
*[[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City|''Grand Theft Auto: Vice City'']]
*''[[wp:Midnight Club II|Midnight Club II]]''
*''[[wp:Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne|Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne]]''
*[[Manhunt|''Manhunt'']]
*''[[wp:Red Dead Revolver|Red Dead Revolver]]''
*[[Grand Theft Auto Advance|''Grand Theft Auto Advance'']]
*[[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas|''Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas'']]
*''[[wp:Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition|Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition]]''
*''[[wp:The Warriors (video game)|The Warriors]]''
*''[[Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories]] ''
*''[[wp:Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition Remix|Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition Remix]]''
*''[[wp:Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis|Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis]]''
*''[[Bully]] ''
*''[[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories]]''
*''[[Manhunt 2]] ''
*''[[wp:Bully: Scholarship Edition|Bully Scholarship Edition]]''
*[[Grand Theft Auto IV|''Grand Theft Auto IV'']]
*''[[wp:Midnight Club Los Angeles|Midnight Club Los Angeles]]''
*''[[wp:Midnight Club LA Remix|Midnight Club LA Remix]]''
*[[The Lost and Damned|''The Lost and Damned'']]
*[[Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars|''Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars'']]
*''[[wp:Beaterator|Beaterator]]''
*[[The Ballad of Gay Tony|''The Ballad of Gay Tony'']]
*''[[wp:LA Noire|LA Noire]]'' (In development, release date TBA 2011)
*''[[wp:Agent_(video_game)|Agent]]'' (In development, release date TBA)
*''[[wp:Max Payne 3|Max Payne 3]]'' (In development, release date TBA 2011)


==Logo==
==Logo==
Rockstar's logo consists of a black 'R' and a white star on a yellow background. [[Rockstar Games]] has a habit of placing the logo within their games as a form of [[Easter Egg]].
Rockstar's logo consists of a black 'R' and a white star on a yellow background. Rockstar Games has a habit of placing the logo within their games as a form of [[Easter Egg]].


===In [[Grand Theft Auto III]]===
===In [[Grand Theft Auto III]]===
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*A pedestrian that is commonly seen in [[Staunton Island]] wears a jacket that says "ROCK STAR" on the front.
*A pedestrian that is commonly seen in [[Staunton Island]] wears a jacket that says "ROCK STAR" on the front.
*The logo appears as a constellation in the sky, with an especially bright star at the tip to represent the white star of the logo.
*The logo appears as a constellation in the sky, with an especially bright star at the tip to represent the white star of the logo.
*The logo can be seen on the cap of a pedestrian wearing headphones.
*The [[Sam Houser|clerk]] of the [[Ammu-Nation]] stores wears a sweater with the Rockstar name on the front.
{| align="center"
|<gallery width="auto" perrow="5" style="font-size:95%; padding:0;" widths="160">
File:RockstarGames-GTAIII-advert.jpg|Rockstar Games billboard in Aspatria.
File:RockstarGames-GTAIII-pedestrian.jpg|A pedestrian with a Rockstar Games jacket.
File:RockstarGames-GTAIII-pedestrian2.jpg|A pedestrian with a Rockstar Games hat.
File:Ammu-Nationclerk-GTAIII.jpg|The Ammu-Nation clerk.
</gallery>
|}


===In [[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City]]===
===In [[Grand Theft Auto: Vice City]]===
[[Image:RockstarPool-GTAVC-easteregg.jpg|thumb|225px|A Rockstar-shaped pool]]
*The door of [[Rockster Video Games]] bears the logo. The name "Rockster Video Games" is also a clear reference to the company.
*The door of [[Rockster Video Games]] bears the logo. The name "Rockster Video Games" is also a clear reference to the company.
*The logo appears as a constellation in the sky, with an especially bright star at the tip to represent the white star of the logo.
*The logo appears as a constellation in the sky, with an especially bright star at the tip to represent the white star of the logo.
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*The logo is on billboards across the street from [[Café Robina]] and across the street from [[Screw This]].
*The logo is on billboards across the street from [[Café Robina]] and across the street from [[Screw This]].
*On one of the variant of the [[Hotring Racer]].
*On one of the variant of the [[Hotring Racer]].
*On one of the variant of the [[Bloodring Banger]].
*On the walls of the drainage canal in [[Little Haiti]].


===In [[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]===
===In [[Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas]]===
*[[Carl Johnson]]'s suitcase in the [[First Mission (GTA SA)|first cutscene]] has a Rockstar Games sticker.
*[[Carl Johnson|Carl Johnson's]] suitcase in the [[First Mission (GTA SA)|first cutscene]] has a Rockstar Games sticker.
*The logo appears on numerous items of [[Clothing in GTA San Andreas|clothing]].
*The logo appears on numerous items of [[Clothing in GTA San Andreas|clothing]].
*The action figure boxes for GTA Vice City and [[Manhunt]] characters in [[Zero RC]] bear the logo.
*The action figure boxes for GTA Vice City and [[Manhunt]] characters in [[Zero RC]] bear the logo.
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===In [[Grand Theft Auto Advance]]===
===In [[Grand Theft Auto Advance]]===
*The logo appears on the walls of [[Mike]]'s [[Staunton Island]] and [[Shoreside Vale]] hideouts.
*The logo appears on the walls of [[Mike|Mike's]] [[Staunton Island]] and [[Shoreside Vale]] hideouts.


===In [[Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories]]===
===In [[Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories]]===
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===In [[Grand Theft Auto IV]]===
===In [[Grand Theft Auto IV]]===
*The bowling pins in [[Memory Lanes]] bear the logo.
*The bowling pins in [[Memory Lanes]] bear the logo.
*Large concrete slabs near the [[Poop Deck]] feature the logo.
*Large concrete slabs near [[Castle Gardens]] feature the logo.
*The [[Multiplayer Clothing in GTA IV|zombie skin]] available in [[Multiplayer in GTA IV|multiplayer]] wears yellow underwear with the Rockstar logo.
*The [[Multiplayer Clothing in GTA IV|zombie skin]] available in [[Multiplayer in GTA IV|multiplayer]] wears yellow underwear with the Rockstar logo.
*Some pedestrians can be seen wearing clothing featuring a logo that consists of an R and a star, but not in the same style as the Rockstar Games logo.
*Some [[pedestrians]] can be seen wearing clothing featuring a logo that consists of an R and a star, but not in the same style as the Rockstar Games logo.
*[[Rock Star Music & Video]] is likely named after Rockstar Games.
*[[Rock Star Music & Video]] is likely named after Rockstar Games.
*An [[Angels of Death]] member, dubbed the "Fat Biker", has the logo on his belt buckle.
*If one looks closely at the fabric of the white couches in the [[Middle Park East Safehouse]], an uppercase 'R' that resembles the Rockstar logo can be seen.
*On the [[:File:AlphaMilk-GTAIV.jpg|Alpha Milk]] store front in [[Dukes]].


===In [[Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars]]===
===In [[Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars]]===
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*The "''Key to the City''" trophy has the Rockstar logo as its handle.
*The "''Key to the City''" trophy has the Rockstar logo as its handle.


==In other media==
===In other media===
*[[wp:John Carter|John Carter]] from the [[wp:NBC|NBC]] drama [[wp:ER|ER]] has a Rockstar logo on his locker.
*[[wp:John Carter|John Carter]] from the [[wp:NBC|NBC]] drama [[wp:ER|ER]] has a Rockstar logo on his locker.
*[[wp:Seth Cohen|Seth Cohen]] from the [[wp:Fox|Fox]] drama [[wp:The O.C.|The O.C.]] has a Rockstar North logo on his bedroom wall.
*[[wp:Seth Cohen|Seth Cohen]] from the [[wp:Fox|Fox]] drama [[wp:The O.C.|The O.C.]] has a Rockstar North logo on his bedroom wall.
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* [http://www.rockstarsandiego.com/ Rockstar San Diego]
* [http://www.rockstarsandiego.com/ Rockstar San Diego]
* [http://www.rockstarlincoln.co.uk/ Rockstar Lincoln]
* [http://www.rockstarlincoln.co.uk/ Rockstar Lincoln]
* [http://www.rockstarnewyork.com/ Rockstar New York]
* [http://www.rockstargames.jp/ Rockstar Japan]


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Latest revision as of 14:56, 10 September 2013

The Rockstar Games logo.

Rockstar Games is a development division of video game publisher Take-Two Interactive that comprised of studios that have been acquired and renamed as well as others that have been created internally. Rockstar Games is most known for managing Rockstar North and Rockstar Leeds, studios that have been for most parts responsible for developing the Grand Theft Auto series.

Organization

The Rockstar Games label was founded in 1998 by Sam Houser, Terry Donovan, Dan Houser, Jamie King and Gary Foreman. Donovan has since left the company, to be replaced by former Capcom managing director, Gary Dale. Dale, along with Sam and Dan Houser is the leadership now. Rockstar Games is headquartered in New York City, United States.

While many of the studios that Take-Two has acquired have been merged into the Rockstar brand, several other recent ones have retained their previous identities and have become part of the company's 2K Games division. Although Rockstar Games studios tend to concentrate on their own game development, collaborative projects involving multiple Rockstar Games studios have occurred (i.e. with Red Dead Redemption, L.A. Noire and Max Payne 3), and certain elements from games developed by a Rockstar Games studio can emerge in games from another studio. In addition, many current Rockstar Games titles utilize the Rockstar Advanced Game Engine, a dedicated game engine developed by Rockstar San Diego. Rockstar Games has also conducted limited merger exercises on studios, such as the absorption of Rockstar Vancouver into Rockstar Toronto.

Due to Rockstar Games rebranding policy of acquired studios, misconceptions of Rockstar Games being a single game developer are not uncommon, often assuming all games released under the Rockstar Games label are created by the same development team.

Rockstar studios

Logo Name Location Previous Name Notes
Rockstar Leeds Leeds, England Mobius Entertainment Based in the Stanningley district of Leeds. They helped create the three PSP GTA games.
Rockstar Lincoln Lincoln, England Tarantula Studios Quality assurance and localization studio
Rockstar London London, England n/a Formed in November 2005. Worked on Manhunt 2.
Rockstar New England Andover, US Mad Doc Software Incorporated in 2008, they are best known for Empire Earth III.
Rockstar North Edinburgh, Scotland DMA Design The best known Rockstar company. They are famous for the Grand Theft Auto series and Manhunt.
Rockstar San Diego Carlsbad, US Angel Studios Based in a suburb of San Diego, the creators of Midtown Madness, Midnight Club and Red Dead Revolver, and the recent Red Dead Redemption.
Rockstar Toronto Oakville, Canada Rockstar Canada Take Two's in-house development team, based in the outskirts of Toronto. Their most well-known work is their adaptation of the cult classic film The Warriors.
Rockstar Japan Tokyo, Japan n/a The studio was founded in 2005. Works in conjunction with developer Capcom on Japanese localizations of numerous games by Rockstar. Also known as 'Rockstar Games Tokyo'.

Former studios

Logo Name Location Previous Names Notes
Rockstar Vienna Vienna, Austria Neo Software The studio was purchased by Rockstar Games in 2003, having been founded in 1993, and was closed on May 11, 2006. Worked on the Max Payne series, parts of Manhunt 2] and the Grand Theft Auto: Double Pack.
Rockstar Vancouver Vancouver, Canada Barking Dog Studios They created Bully and Max Payne 3, as well as worked on the Grand Theft Auto: Double Pack. Dismantled and merged with Rockstar Toronto in 2012.

Other companies that have developed for Rockstar Games

Works

Notable games and series

  • Grand Theft Auto series (1997—pres.)
  • Manhunt series (2003, 2007)
  • Max Payne (2001—2012)
  • Bully (including the Scholarship Edition) (2006, 2008)
  • Midnight Club series (2000—pres.)
  • Oni (2001)
  • Red Dead series (2004, 2010)
  • Smuggler's Run (2000—2002)
  • Table Tennis (2006)
  • The Warriors (2005)
  • Wild Metal (2004)
  • L.A. Noire (2011)

Full game list

Films

Rockstar Games are credited as executive producers of Sunday Driver and The Football Factory.

Rockstar's logo consists of a black 'R' and a white star on a yellow background. Rockstar Games has a habit of placing the logo within their games as a form of Easter Egg.

In Grand Theft Auto III

  • The logo appears on many billboards throughout Liberty City, particularly around the Liberty Memorial Coliseum.
  • An advertisement in Bedford Point shows a coffee cup with the logo on it.
  • A pedestrian that is commonly seen in Staunton Island wears a jacket that says "ROCK STAR" on the front.
  • The logo appears as a constellation in the sky, with an especially bright star at the tip to represent the white star of the logo.
  • The logo can be seen on the cap of a pedestrian wearing headphones.
  • The clerk of the Ammu-Nation stores wears a sweater with the Rockstar name on the front.
  • Rockstar Games billboard in Aspatria.

    Rockstar Games billboard in Aspatria.

  • A pedestrian with a Rockstar Games jacket.

    A pedestrian with a Rockstar Games jacket.

  • A pedestrian with a Rockstar Games hat.

    A pedestrian with a Rockstar Games hat.

  • The Ammu-Nation clerk.

    The Ammu-Nation clerk.

In Grand Theft Auto: Vice City

A Rockstar-shaped pool
  • The door of Rockster Video Games bears the logo. The name "Rockster Video Games" is also a clear reference to the company.
  • The logo appears as a constellation in the sky, with an especially bright star at the tip to represent the white star of the logo.
  • A swimming pool on Starfish Island is shaped like the logo.
  • The clerk of the Ammu-Nation stores wears a jacket with the Rockstar logo on the front and the words "ROCK STAR" on the back.
  • The logo is on a heart-shaped tombstone and on a shirt of a person in a picture frame in Funeraria Romero.
  • On the parked Air Rockstar jumbo jets in Escobar International Airport, the name appears on the front of the jet and the logo appears on its tail.
  • The logo is on billboards across the street from Café Robina and across the street from Screw This.
  • On one of the variant of the Hotring Racer.
  • On one of the variant of the Bloodring Banger.
  • On the walls of the drainage canal in Little Haiti.

In Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas

  • Carl Johnson's suitcase in the first cutscene has a Rockstar Games sticker.
  • The logo appears on numerous items of clothing.
  • The action figure boxes for GTA Vice City and Manhunt characters in Zero RC bear the logo.
  • The Rockstar constellation returns from GTA Vice City.
  • The Rockstar logo can also be seen on a San Fierro Tower in downtown San Fierro when coming off the Garver Bridge.
  • The name "Rock Star" appears on some drug dealers (the ones with hoodies).
  • The logo is emblazoned on a surfboard inside Sub Urban stores.
  • North of Los Santos, there is a place named "Northstar Rock", a clear reference to Rockstar North.

In Grand Theft Auto Advance

In Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories

  • Graffiti resembling the logo can be seen throughout the city.
  • A pedestrian has the logo emblazoned on his hat.

In Grand Theft Auto IV

In Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars

  • The logo appears as a fridge magnet on the Mission Replay whiteboard, along with the Rockstar Leeds logo.
  • The "Key to the City" trophy has the Rockstar logo as its handle.

In other media

External links

Studios

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