Overview
Rockstar North is the Edinburgh-based development studio responsible for the Grand Theft Auto series. Originally founded as DMA Design in Dundee (1988), the company created Lemmings before pioneering open-world crime games with the original GTA (1997). Acquired by Take-Two in 1999 and rebranded as Rockstar North in 2001, it became one of gaming’s most influential studios.
Fast Facts
| Aspect | Detail |
|---|
| Founded | 2001 (as Rockstar North) |
| Previously | DMA Design (1988-2001) |
| Location | Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Parent | Rockstar Games / Take-Two |
| Founders | David Jones, Russell Kay (DMA) |
The DMA Design Era
| Year | Title | Significance |
|---|
| 1991 | Lemmings | Global phenomenon |
| 1993 | Lemmings 2 | Expanded formula |
| 1997 | Grand Theft Auto | Open-world crime |
| 1999 | GTA 2 | Refined formula |
The Rockstar Era
| Year | Title | Achievement |
|---|
| 2001 | GTA III | 3D open world |
| 2002 | GTA: Vice City | 1980s setting |
| 2004 | GTA: San Andreas | Massive scope |
| 2008 | GTA IV | HD generation |
| 2013 | GTA V | Best-selling entertainment product |
| Person | Role |
|---|
| David Jones | DMA founder, left 1999 |
| Mike Dailly | Lemmings co-creator |
| Leslie Benzies | President until 2016 |
| Sam Houser | Rockstar co-founder, creative lead |
From Dundee to Edinburgh
DMA Design moved from Dundee to Edinburgh as the team grew. The Dundee connection remained significant—the city’s game development scene partly exists because DMA proved world-class games could come from Scotland.
Impact
| Contribution | Result |
|---|
| Open-world design | Defined the genre |
| Mature content | Expanded gaming’s scope |
| Production values | Raised industry standards |
| Scottish games industry | Proved UK talent outside London |
Legacy
Rockstar North demonstrated that a Scottish studio could create the best-selling entertainment products of all time. GTA V’s $6 billion in revenue makes it more commercially successful than any film, album, or book in history.
See Also