History Of Rockstar Games, Where They Started Until 2024

Hey Readers!
Rockstar has been through a lot since their start in 1998 and today in this article we want to go through their amazing history, They are indeed one of my favorite gaming publishing and developing companies.

Founded in 1998 by a group of developers who fell off from the British game publisher BMG Interactive,
Rockstar Games is a subsidiary company of Take-Two Interactive founded by blood brothers Sam & Dan Houser and of course their developer friends Terry Donovan, Gary Foreman & Jamie King.

Since then the amazing publisher and game developer company has released many hit game releases and hired many employees such as the GTA series and Red Dead Redemption series they are one of the largest gaming companies today, But how did they become so big? how did they do it?
Well in this article we be going through most of the games they’ve created in order of their release date.

Rockstar Games have also been used to published games by other developers,
We will be only including the titles that Rockstar have developed themselves.

We want to note that Max Payne 1 & 2 was developed by Remedy Studios which is why we have note mentioned those here.

Grand Theft Auto (1998)

The game that started it all this was Rockstar first game and action-packed video game that gained players into the underworld of crime and chaos.

Set in a sprawling, fictional metropolis, players assume the role of a criminal working their way up the ranks of organized crime. The game offers a sandbox-style environment where players can freely roam the city, engaging in various illegal activities such as car theft, armed robbery.

All though the game was in a birds eye view this game was still brilliant for it’s time as we need to remember we were dealing with Windows 98 technology during these times.

Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 (1999)

Grand Theft Auto: London 1969, released in 1999 just 1 year after the OG Grand Theft Auto was released.

it allowed players in a world filled with the culture, music, and fashion of the swinging sixties.

As a criminal protagonist the cities, players navigate the underworld of London.

The game offers an open-world environment where players can freely explore the streets of London, encountering rival gangs, law enforcement, and NPCs. With its retro aesthetic and homage to the iconic city, Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 provides players with a unique and amazing experience, allowing them to step into the shoes of a cunning criminal in a bygone era of British history.

Grand Theft Auto: London 1961 (1999)

Grand Theft Auto: London 1961 Was very similar to 1969 just based in almost a decade prior both London 1969 and 1961 were released around the same time therefore having the exact same features.

All though The differences we can say between 1969 and 1961 is in the setting and environment.
While both expansions are set in the 1960s London and share similar gameplay,
they do offer slightly different experiences due to their respective time periods within the decade.
For example look how things were at in the early 2000s versus the late 2000s?

Grand Theft Auto 2 (1999)

Grand Theft Auto 2, also released in 1999, is the sequel to the original Grand Theft Auto game,
continuing the franchise’s legacy of open-world action-adventure gameplay.

Set in a sprawling metropolis known as “Anywhere City,” the game offers a futuristic and dystopian setting, where players navigate a world dominated by crime syndicates, corrupt corporations, and law enforcement. Unlike its previous release,

Grand Theft Auto 2 features a top-down perspective, allowing players to have better access to their health and much more!

Midnight Club: Street Racing (2000)

Midnight Club: Street Racing, released in 2000, is the first racing game of Rockstar that offers players an exhilarating experience of underground street racing culture. Developed by Rockstar: San Diego,

the game takes place in three iconic cities: New York, London, and Tokyo, each featuring a unique atmosphere and distinct racing challenges.

As you can see it only took Rockstar 2 years to form a name for themselves and found where they belong in the gaming industry, They knew what they were doing obviously.

Smuggler’s Run (2000)

Smuggler’s Run, released in 2000, is an action-packed off-road driving game developed by Angel Studios (also known as Rockstar San Diego).

Set in vast, open landscapes inspired by various real-world locations, the game puts players in the role of a smuggler tasked with transporting contraband across challenging terrains while evading law enforcement and rival smugglers.

Players have access to a variety of rugged vehicles, including trucks, SUVs, and dune buggies, each offering different capabilities suited to the diverse terrain types encountered throughout the game.

Wild Metal Country (1999)

Wild Metal Country, released in 1999, is an action-packed vehicular combat game developed by DMA Design (also known as Rockstar North).

The game is Set in a distant alien world, the game allows players into the role of a lone tank tasked with exploring, battling, and conquering various territories inhabited by hostile robotic enemies.

Players pilot their tank through expansive and dynamically changing landscapes, ranging from desolate wastelands to futuristic cities.

Each with its own challenges and missions.
The game emphasizes strategic thinking and tactical combat, as players must utilize different weapons, power-ups, and maneuvering techniques to outwit and outgun their opponents.

Grand Theft Auto III (2001)

Grand Theft Auto III, released in 2001, revolutionized the gaming industry by introducing a groundbreaking open-world sandbox experience that set new standards for the action-adventure genre.

The game takes place in the fictional Liberty City, an amazing metropolis inspired by New York City, teeming with crime, corruption, and opportunity. Players assume the role of Claude, a silent protagonist embroiled in a tale of betrayal and revenge after being double-crossed during a bank heist.

This was also the first ever GTA title that didn’t feature a overhead or bird-view in the camera and instead featured a full 3D view, This marked the true start of Grand Theft Auto selling millions of company in the early-mid 2000s.

Smuggler’s Run 2: Hostile Territory (2001)

The game is set in various locations around the world, where players take on the role of a smuggler working for an underground smuggling organization.

The objective of the game is to transport contraband goods from one location to another while avoiding law enforcement and rival smugglers.

It received generally positive reviews from critics upon its release for its engaging gameplay and expansive open-world environments.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (2002)

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City was released in 2002, is an iconic action-adventure video game developed by Rockstar North.
Set in the fictional Vice City, a vibrant and bustling metropolis inspired by 1980s Miami,

the game allowed players in a world filled with crime, corruption, and excess.
Players assume the role of Tommy Vercetti, a former criminal who seeks to establish himself as a powerful figure in the city’s underworld after being released from prison!

The game was very similar to GTA 3 even graphics wise but instead of being located in Liberty City it was set in a more vibrant place with beaches and better sunsets.

Midnight Club II (2003)

Midnight Club ll was released in 2003, is an exhilarating street racing game developed by Rockstar in San Diego.

building upon the success of its predecessor, Midnight Club: Street Racing. This title elevates adds the intensity of the racing experience with faster speeds, tighter controls, and more adrenaline-pumping action.
Set across iconic cities worldwide such as Los Angeles, Paris, and Tokyo, the game allowed players in highly detailed urban environments ripe for illegal street racing.

Manhunt (2003)

The Gameplay in Manhunt revolves around stealth and survival as players navigate through dark and gritty environments, avoiding detection by patrolling enemies while using a variety of improvised weapons and stealth tactics to eliminate them. The game features a unique execution mechanic, where players can perform gruesome and brutal executions on enemies, with the level of violence escalating as players hold down the execution button.

Red Dead Revolver (2004)

One of the defining features of Red Dead Revolver is its engaging and amazing presentation, with a compelling storyline, memorable characters, and epic set pieces that evoke the atmosphere of classic Western films. The game’s vibrant art style and attention to detail bring the world of the Wild West to life, from dusty frontier towns to rugged landscapes filled with bandits, outlaws, and other dangers.

To those saying that Redemption was the first western game rockstar has ever released then you be surprised to see they had a similar 2004 version just under a different name.

Grand Theft Auto Advance (2004)

Set in Liberty City, the game follows the story of Mike, a small-time criminal who becomes embroiled in the city’s criminal underworld after being betrayed and left for dead!

Players navigate through the top-down, open-world environment of Liberty City, completing missions and engaging in various criminal activities such as car theft, assassinations, and gang warfare.

Rockstar returned their birds-eye camera for the Gameboy advance.

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (2004)

In addition to its open-world gameplay, Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas is known for its deep and engaging narrative, which explores themes of family, loyalty, and the pursuit of the American Dream.

The game features a diverse cast of characters, memorable dialogue, and a sprawling storyline that takes players on a journey through the criminal underworld of San Andreas.

Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition (2005)

Set in various urban locations across the United States, including Atlanta, Detroit, and San Diego, Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition offers players the opportunity to participate in high-stakes illegal street races against skilled opponents.

Players can choose from a wide selection of customizable vehicles, including cars, motorcycles, and SUVs, each with unique handling characteristics and performance attributes.

The Warriors (2005)

In “The Warriors,” players control various members of The Warriors gang as they fight their way through different neighborhoods of New York City, completing missions and objectives to establish their dominance and reputation in the city’s underworld.

The game features both single-player and cooperative multiplayer modes, allowing players to team up with friends to tackle challenges together.

Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories (2005)

Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories was released in 2005, its an action-adventure video game developed by Rockstar Leeds and Rockstar North, and published by Rockstar Games.

It serves as a prequel to Grand Theft Auto III and is set in the fictional Liberty City, which is heavily inspired by New York City.

Grand Theft Auto: Vice City Stories (2006)

One of the standout features of Vice City Stories in our thoughts is its amazing portrayal of 1980s Vice City,

complete with iconic landmarks, cultural references, and a soundtrack featuring hit songs from the era. The game captures the essence of the 1980s with its vibrant visuals, retro aesthetic, and nostalgic atmosphere, offering players an authentic and immersive experience of the decade.

Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis (2006)

Rockstar Games presents Table Tennis received praise for its tight controls, realistic physics, and stunning visuals. It also features multiplayer modes, allowing players to compete against friends locally or online, further enhancing the game’s replay value.

Bully (2006)

One of the defining features of Bully is its unique setting and tone, which blend elements of humor, satire, and social commentary. The game tackles themes such as bullying, peer pressure, and the complexities of adolescence, presenting them in a lighthearted and often irreverent manner.

In Bully, players assume the role of Jimmy as he navigates the challenges of school life, including attending classes, completing assignments, and dealing with bullies and cliques. The game features an open-world environment, allowing players to explore the campus and surrounding town, interact with NPCs, and undertake various missions and side activities.

The game was controversial as it seemed like it was being aimed at children but doing things that only responsible adults should know such as violence and bullying,
This is what the people of that time thought anyways.

Manhunt 2 (2007)

Despite the controversy with this game too, Manhunt 2 received mixed to positive reviews from critics, praised for its atmospheric storytelling, tense gameplay, and psychological horror elements.

It remains a notable entry in the survival horror and stealth genres, known for its intense and visceral gameplay experience.

Midnight Club: Los Angeles (2008)

Midnight Club: Los Angeles received positive reviews from critics upon its release, praised for its exhilarating gameplay, expansive open-world environment, and extensive vehicle customization options. It remains a beloved entry in the Midnight Club series and a standout title in the arcade racing genre, offering players an adrenaline-fueled journey through the streets of Los Angeles.

Grand Theft Auto IV (2008)

Gameplay in Grand Theft Auto IV combines elements of action, exploration, and open-world sandbox gameplay.

Players can freely roam the urban environment of Liberty City, engaging in a variety of activities, including completing story missions, participating in side quests, and exploring the city’s diverse neighborhoods. The game features a dynamic day-night cycle, realistic pedestrian and traffic AI, and a robust physics engine that adds depth and immersion to the gameplay experience.

The game also featured an internet cafe and other stores you could freely visit, This was the final game i got to experience as a minor as it came out when i was just 13 years old the start of my teenage years.

Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony (2009)

Gameplay in The Ballad of Gay Tony largely mirrors that of Grand Theft Auto IV, featuring open-world exploration, action-packed missions, and immersive storytelling.

That being said, the expansion introduces new weapons, vehicles, and multiplayer modes tailored to the high-flying, adrenaline-fueled world of Liberty City’s elite.

Grand Theft Auto IV: The Lost and Damned (2009)

The Lost and Damned received critical acclaim upon its release, praised for its compelling storyline, immersive atmosphere, and innovative gameplay mechanics.

It remains a beloved addition to the Grand Theft Auto series, offering players a fresh perspective on the criminal underworld of Liberty City and further enriching the expansive world of Grand Theft Auto IV.

Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars (2009)

Chinatown Wars received widespread critical acclaim upon its release, praised for its engaging storyline, innovative gameplay mechanics, and technical achievement on handheld platforms. It remains one of the highest-rated and best-selling titles on the Nintendo DS and PSP, as well as a beloved entry in the Grand Theft Auto series.

Red Dead Redemption (2010)

One of the standout features of “Red Dead Redemption” is its immersive narrative, which explores themes of redemption, loyalty, and the harsh realities of life on the frontier. The game features a richly detailed storyline with complex characters, moral choices, and branching narrative paths that allow players to shape Marston’s fate and the outcome of the game.

This was a completely re-made version of their previous title “Red Dead Revolver” and it really did take off as their second selling game of all time.

L.A. Noire (2011)

“L.A. Noire” received widespread praise upon its release,

praised for its innovative gameplay mechanics, immersive storytelling, and stunning visual presentation. It was lauded for its attention to detail and historical accuracy, as well as its ambitious attempt to blend elements of film noir and interactive storytelling.

Max Payne 3 (2012)

In addition to its single-player campaign, Max Payne 3 features a multiplayer mode that offers a variety of competitive and cooperative gameplay options, including traditional deathmatch modes, team-based objectives, and a progression system that allows players to unlock new weapons and abilities as they level up.

Max Payne 3″received positive reviews from critics upon its release, praised for its gripping storyline, cinematic presentation, and satisfying gunplay. It remains a beloved entry in the Max Payne series, offering players a thrilling and immersive experience as they follow Max Payne’s journey of redemption through the streets of São Paulo.

Grand Theft Auto V (2013)

One of the standout features of GTA V is its expansive multiplayer mode, Grand Theft Auto Online, which allows players to explore the world of Los Santos with friends and engage in various cooperative and competitive activities. Grand Theft Auto Online continues to receive regular updates and expansions, adding new content, features, and gameplay modes to the experience.

Grand Theft Auto Online (2013)

One of the standout features of GTA:V is its expansive multiplayer mode, Grand Theft Auto Online, which allows players to explore the world of Los Santos with friends and engage in various cooperative and competitive activities. Grand Theft Auto Online continues to receive regular updates and expansions, adding new content, features, and gameplay modes to the experience.

While GTA 6 is on its way GTA 5 still has a good year under its belt at the time of writing this article its the first GTA title that has lasted a whole decade and a bit.

Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)

Set against the backdrop of a rapidly changing frontier, RDR 2 allows players in the powerful and dynamic world of the American Wild West based sometime around the early 1800s.

As Arthur Morgan, players navigate through a richly detailed open-world environment, encountering a diverse cast of characters, wildlife, and landscapes while engaging in a variety of activities and missions.

Red Dead: Online

In Red Dead Online, players are placed into an open-world environment set in the American Wild West during the late 19th century.

They take on the role of a customizable character, known as a “cowboy” or “cowgirl,” and are free to explore the vast and detailed landscape, engage in various activities, and interact with other players,
They are able to customize their character to their liking.

Just like how GTA Online i currently based on GTA V,
Red Dead: Online is based on RDR 2 and is part of the same game.

Grand Theft Auto: VI (2025)

Despite the lack of official details, speculation and rumors about GTA 6 have circulated extensively within the gaming community and the media.

One thing we know for sure confirmed in their recent trailer that the game is going to be based around Florida which you can watch here.

There have a large section of games so its possible we may have missed a few but if you like to take a more in depth look in to this you can do so here.