The History of Rockstar Games: From DMA Design to GTA 6
Before Rockstar Games became one of the most influential studios in the industry, it started as a small Scottish development team with a very different name. Here’s how the company got from there to GTA 6.
The DMA Design Years
Rockstar North, the studio behind every mainline GTA game, was originally founded as DMA Design in Dundee, Scotland. DMA Design developed the original top-down Grand Theft Auto (1997) — a title that, despite modest initial expectations, generated significant tabloid and political controversy at launch. See our full GTA release timeline for the bigger picture of how the series grew from here.
The Formation of Rockstar Games
Rockstar Games was founded in 1998 as a publishing label under Take-Two Interactive, bringing together several studios — including DMA Design, which would eventually be rebranded as Rockstar North in 2002 — under one unified branding umbrella.
The 3D Era Breakthrough
GTA III (2001) marked Rockstar’s breakout moment, establishing the free-roam 3D open-world template that would define the studio’s identity for decades. Vice City (2002) and San Andreas (2004) followed in rapid succession, cementing Rockstar’s reputation.
Expansion Beyond GTA
Rockstar built out other major franchises over the following decade, most notably Red Dead Redemption (2010) and its sequel Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018) — the latter introducing physics and world-simulation technology that has directly influenced GTA 6’s confirmed features, like prone crawling and weapon lockers (see our GTA 6 combat guide).
The GTA V and GTA Online Era
GTA V’s 2013 launch, followed by GTA Online’s sustained decade-plus success, transformed Rockstar’s business model and cemented the studio as one of the most commercially dominant in gaming history — the franchise has generated over $10 billion in revenue since GTA V’s launch alone. See our full GTA Online earnings breakdown.
Where Rockstar Stands Today
With GTA 6 set to release November 19, 2026 after one of the longest development cycles in the studio’s history, Rockstar remains under Take-Two Interactive’s ownership, with Rockstar North continuing as the lead studio on the mainline GTA series — the same lineage that traces directly back to DMA Design’s small Scottish office in the 1990s.
Quick Facts Recap
- Original name: DMA Design (Dundee, Scotland)
- Rockstar Games founded: 1998, under Take-Two Interactive
- DMA Design renamed: Rockstar North, 2002
- Other major franchises: Red Dead Redemption series
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Leonida based on a real place?
Leonida is a fictional state modeled heavily on Florida, similar to how past GTA locations have drawn on real US regions without being exact recreations.
What new gameplay features does GTA 6 have?
Confirmed and leaked details point to improved AI behavior, more interactive environments, and refined combat/stealth options compared to GTA 5.
Will GTA 6 have GTA Online-style multiplayer?
Rockstar hasn't detailed the online component yet, but given GTA Online's success, a connected multiplayer mode is widely expected.
Where is GTA 6 set?
GTA 6 takes place in the fictional state of Leonida, centered around a rebuilt version of Vice City, Rockstar's take on Florida.