Birth of an Icon
Rockstar Games was founded in December 1998 by Terry Donovan, Jamie King, Dan and Sam Houser, and Gary Foreman. Born out of the gaming giants, BMG Entertainment, when it was purchased by Take-Two Interactive, it quickly became a pioneering figure in the world of video gaming.
It Isn't Just One Company
Although commonly referred to as a singular entity, Rockstar Games is actually an umbrella term for a collection of smaller studios spread across the globe. Under the Rockstar banner lie companies such as Rockstar North, Rockstar India, Rockstar San Diego, and many more.
Grand Theft Auto Isn't Their Only Success
While most known for its all-time bestselling series, Grand Theft Auto (GTA), Rockstar has other critically acclaimed titles under its belt. Games like Red Dead Redemption, Bully and L.A. Noire have all come from Rockstar's magical game-making factory.
Naming Inspiration
Rockstar's name was inspired by the 90s hit song, 'Rocks,' by indie band Primal Scream. The founders wanted the company to embody tenacity, fearlessness, and a rebel spirit, just like a rockstar.
The Houser Brothers
Dan and Sam Houser were instrumental in creating Rockstar's most popular franchises like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption. The Housers have been influential figures in shaping the video gaming industry.
The GTA Map
In Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, the map was four times bigger than GTA Vice City's map. The map in GTA V is reportedly even larger, making it the largest map in the entire series.
Coded Messages and Easter Eggs
Rockstar Games is known for hiding coded messages and Easter Eggs in their games. For instance, in GTA IV, they included a sign reading 'No Hidden Content Here,' located on a secret island.
Legal Tussles
Rockstar Games frequently found itself in legal battles. The violent and explicit nature of their games, particularly Grand Theft Auto, led to numerous lawsuits and controversy. Despite this, the brand’s popularity only skyrocketed, creating a 'bad boy' image for itself.
Celebrity Involved
Rockstar Games has a history of featuring celebrities in their games. GTA: Vice City, for instance, featured voices from famous actors like Ray Liotta and Danny Trejo.
The Role of Lazlow Jones
Lazlow Jones has written, produced, and acted in every Grand Theft Auto game since GTA III. He's an actual radio host who mostly acts as himself in the games.
Original Ideas for Grand Theft Auto
Originally, GTA was supposed to be a game called "Race 'n' Chase," and it was about cops and robbers. Players could choose to be the police and go after criminals.
Earnings from Grand Theft Auto V
Grand Theft Auto V is one of the most profitable entertainment products of all time. It earned $800 million on its first day of release and reached a billion in just three days.
Rockstar's Logo Designer
The iconic Rockstar Games logo was created by an English designer named Michael Carney, who was only an intern at the time.
Live Concerts in Video Games
Rockstar Games introduced a new feature in their game Grand Theft Auto V where players can attend live virtual concerts. This is a first in the gaming industry.
Max Payne's Script
The script for Rockstar’s action-packed game Max Payne ran over 600 pages long. This was a stark contrast to typical video games scripts which usually do not exceed 100 pages.
Red Dead Redemption's World Record
According to Guinness World Records, Rockstar's Red Dead Redemption holds the record for the most 'end-of-game' alternatives, offering as many as 40 different ways to finish off the game.
Support for Independent Music
Rockstar Games has always shown immense support for independent music, often featuring unknown bands in their game soundtracks, thereby offering them a global platform.
Bully’s Impact
Although not as famous as GTA or Red Dead Redemption, Rockstar’s game Bully had an astounding impact, with many fans and critics hailing it as a masterpiece discussing pertinent social issues.
Rockstar’s Ban in some countries
Some of Rockstar Games' titles, notably the Grand Theft Auto series, are banned in certain countries, including Thailand, Brazil, and the United Arab Emirates due to their mature content.
Cowboy Influence
The team at Rockstar San Diego, while developing Red Dead Redemption, reportedly watched over 40 classic Western films for inspiration and to capture the essence of the old American frontier.
Record Breaker
Rockstar Games has earned several records in the Guinness World Records, including highest grossing entertainment product (GTA V), highest-rated game on PlayStation 4 (Red Dead Redemption II), and largest voice cast in an action-adventure game (GTA IV).