Welcome to Gamespublisher.com, your hub for all things game development and game publishing! We’re diving into the rockstar games list, a catalog that’s pure gold for anyone obsessed with video game genres.
Rockstar Games, a titan among video game publishers, has redefined gaming with open-world masterpieces like Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption.
Knowing their games is a must for game developers and game publishers, as these titles set benchmarks in storytelling, freedom, and innovation.
Whether you’re crafting your own epic or just geeking out, the Rockstar Games lineup inspires with its bold game genres and industry-shaking impact.
Let’s explore how Rockstar Games video games keep raising the bar!
Rockstar Games – A Brief History of the Studio
Rockstar Games, a game developer legend, was founded in 1998 in New York City by Sam and Dan Houser, Terry Donovan, Jamie King, and Gary Foreman.
Owned by Take-Two Interactive since 1998 (who owns Rockstar Games), it grew from a scrappy studio into a video game publisher powerhouse, with studios like Rockstar North (Edinburgh) and Rockstar San Diego.
Sam Houser, president, and Dan, a lead writer, shaped the cinematic vision, crafting games like GTA with Hollywood flair.
Their philosophy? Push game development boundaries with sprawling open worlds, gritty stories, and edgy content that sparks debate.
With over millions of units sold for Grand Theft Auto alone, Rockstar’s game publishing sets gaming standards, inspiring game developers to chase bold game genres.
Rockstar Games – Complete List of Titles by Release Date
The Rockstar Games list is a gaming timeline of innovation, from 2D roots to photorealistic epics.
Below, we break down all games by era, showcasing their game development evolution and video game genres impact.
Early Titles (1997–2004)
| Name | Release Date | Genre | Platform(s) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Theft Auto | Oct 21/Nov 28 1997 | Action‑adventure | MS‑DOS, Windows, PlayStation, GBC | The original top‑down open‑world crime game. |
| Grand Theft Auto: London 1969 | Apr 29 1999 | Expansion/2D crime | PC, PlayStation | Mission pack set in London. |
| Grand Theft Auto: London 1961 | Jul 1 1999 | Expansion/2D crime | PC | Prequel expansion set in 1961 London. |
| Grand Theft Auto 2 | Oct 22 1999 | Action‑adventure | PS1, Windows, Dreamcast, GBC, GameCube | Sequel with enhanced top‑down gameplay. |
| Wild Metal | 1999 | Vehicular combat | Windows | Early vehicular shooter. |
| Smuggler’s Run | 2000 | Racing/action | PS2 | Off‑road smuggling missions in open terrain. |
| Midnight Club: Street Racing | Apr 2000 | Racing | PS2 | Urban street racing with open tracks. |
| Oni | 2001 | Action/platformer | PS2, PC, Xbox (ported by Rockstar) | Originally by Bungie West, ported to PS2 by Rockstar. |
| Grand Theft Auto III | Oct 22/23 2001 | Action‑adventure | PS2 (later others) | Landmark shift to 3D open‑world. |
| Max Payne | 2001 | Shooter/neo‑noir | PS2, PC, Xbox | Developed by Remedy; published by Rockstar. |
| Grand Theft Auto: Vice City | Oct 27–29 2002 | Action‑adventure | PS2, later PC/Xbox | 1980s Miami‑style open‑world. |
| State of Emergency | Nov 2002 | Beat ’em up | PS2, Xbox, Windows | Riot-themed urban brawling. |
| Midnight Club II | Apr 9 2003 | Racing | PS2, Xbox, PC | Enhanced sequel to street racing. |
| Manhunt | Nov 18 2003 | Stealth/horror | PS2, Xbox, Windows | Dark stealth game with gritty atmosphere. |
| Red Dead Revolver | May 4, 2004 | Action‑adventure | PS2, Xbox | The start of Rockstar’s Red Dead series. |
| Grand Theft Auto: Advance | Oct 26 2004 | Action‑adventure | Game Boy Advance | Portable GTA set in Liberty City. |
| Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas | Oct 26, 2004 | Action‑adventure | PS2 (2004), later PC/Xbox, mobile | Massive sandbox and RPG elements. |
Breakthrough and Expansion (2005–2013)
| Name | Release Date | Genre | Platform(s) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Midnight Club 3: DUB Edition | Apr 11, 2005 | Racing | PS2, PSP, Xbox | Enhanced street racing with licensed cars. |
| The Warriors | Oct 17, 2005 | Beat ’em up | PS2, PSP, Xbox | Based on the cult film, focuses on street gang battles. |
| GTA: Liberty City Stories | Oct 24–25, 2005 | Action‑adventure | PSP, PS2, iOS, Android | PSP prequel set in Liberty City. |
| Rockstar Games Presents Table Tennis | May 22, 2006 | Sports (Table Tennis) | X360, Wii | Sim-focused ping-pong title. |
| Bully | Oct 17, 2006 | Action‑adventure | PS2, later others | School-life sandbox starring Jimmy Hopkins. |
| Vice City Stories | Oct 31, 2006 | Action‑adventure | PSP, PS2, PS3 | Prequel exploring Tommy Vance era. |
| Manhunt 2 | Oct 29, 2007 | Stealth/horror | PS2, PSP, Wii, PC | Sequel to the original’s stealth horror style. |
| Grand Theft Auto IV | Apr 29, 2008 | Action‑adventure | PS3, Xbox 360, PC | HD rebuild of GTA formula with deeper narrative. |
| Midnight Club: Los Angeles | Oct 20, 2008 | Racing | PS3, PSP, X360 | Rockstar’s playground city racing. |
| GTA IV: The Lost and Damned | Feb 17, 2009 | Action‑adventure | X360, PS3, PC | DLC focusing on biker gang. |
| GTA: Chinatown Wars | Mar 17, 2009 | Action‑adventure | DS, PSP, iOS, Android | Portable, stylized GTA. |
| GTA IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony | Oct 29, 2009 | Action‑adventure | X360, PS3, PC | DLC expanding GTA IV’s nightlife. |
| Beaterator | Sep 29, 2009 | Music/beat-making | PSP, iOS | Music creation tool by Timbaland. |
| Red Dead Redemption | May 18, 2010 | Action‑adventure | PS3, X360, later PC | Western epic and narrative breakthrough. |
| Undead Nightmare | Oct 26, 2010 | Action‑adventure (Zombie) | PS3, X360, later PC | Horror-themed DLC for Red Dead Redemption. |
| L.A. Noire | May 17, 2011 | Detective/adventure | PS3, X360, later PC/Switch | Innovative facial animation detective game. |
| Max Payne 3 | May 15, 2012 | Shooter / neo‑noir | PS3, X360, PC | Dark third‑person shooter continuation. |
Modern Classics (2013–Present)
| Name | Release Date | Genre | Platform(s) | Description |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Theft Auto V | Sep 17, 2013 | Action‑adventure | PS3, X360, PS4, XBO, PC, PS5, XSX | Massive open world with three protagonists. |
| Grand Theft Auto Online | Oct 1, 2013 | Online multiplayer | Same as GTA V | Continuously updated live‑service component. |
| L.A. Noire: The VR Case Files | Sep 24, 2017 | Detective VR | PC, PS4 | VR spin-off of L.A. Noire. |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | Oct 26, 2018 | Action‑adventure | PS4, XBO, PC, Stadia | Immersive prequel acclaimed for story and world. |
| Red Dead Online | Nov 27, 2018 | Online multiplayer | Same as RDR2 | Live-service multiplayer for RDR2. |
| Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy (Definitive Edition) | Nov 11, 2021 | Remaster | PS5, PS4, XBO, XSX, Switch, PC, iOS, Android | Remastered versions of GTA III/VC/SA. |
Rockstar Games – Popular Game Series Overview
The Rockstar games list is packed with iconic series that have reshaped video game genres, showcasing Rockstar’s knack for game development.
Let’s dive into the heavy hitters of all Rockstar Games and their legacy.
Grand Theft Auto Series
| Title | Release Date | Perspective | Platforms | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Grand Theft Auto | 1997 | Top-down 2D | MS-DOS, Windows, PlayStation | Introduced open-world crime gameplay. |
| GTA II | 1999 | Top-down 2D | Windows, Dreamcast, GBC | Zone-based faction system. |
| GTA III | 2001 | 3rd-person 3D | PS2, PC, Xbox | First fully 3D open-world GTA. |
| GTA: Vice City | 2002 | 3rd-person 3D | PS2, PC, Xbox | 1980s Miami vibe, soundtrack and style. |
| GTA: San Andreas | 2004 | 3rd-person 3D | PS2, PC, Xbox | RPG elements, massive world, gang systems. |
| GTA IV | 2008 | 3rd-person 3D | PS3, Xbox 360, PC | Realistic physics and narrative depth. |
| GTA V | 2013 | 3rd-person/1st | PS3/4/5, Xbox 360/One/Series, PC | Three protagonists, heists, evolving online mode. |
| GTA Online | 2013–present | Online multiplayer | Same as GTA V | Massive online world with constant content updates. |
| GTA VI | May 26, 2026 | TBA | PS5, Xbox Series X/S | Highly anticipated with modern tech and dual protagonists. |
Red Dead Series
| Title | Release Date | Setting | Platforms | Notable Features |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red Dead Revolver | 2004 | Western fantasy | PS2, Xbox | Linear missions, spaghetti Western tone. |
| Red Dead Redemption | 2010 | 1911 Frontier | PS3, Xbox 360 | Open-world with morality system, horse mechanics, and honor system. |
| Undead Nightmare (DLC) | 2010 | Zombie Western | PS3, Xbox 360 | Surreal horror twist on the Wild West. |
| Red Dead Redemption 2 | 2018 | 1899 America | PS4, Xbox One, PC, Stadia | Deep AI systems, survival elements, visually stunning world. |
| Red Dead Online | 2018–present | Multiplayer | Same as RDR2 | Persistent open world with hunting, bounty missions, and player roles. |
Other Notable Rockstar Games
| Title | Release Date | Genre | Platforms | Role in Rockstar’s Legacy |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bully | 2006 | Action-adventure | PS2, Xbox 360, Wii, PC, Mobile | A “GTA in school” concept with a unique teen rebellion angle. |
| Max Payne 3 | 2012 | Third-person shooter | PS3, Xbox 360, PC | Gritty story, cinematic gunplay, and bullet time mechanics. |
| L.A. Noire | 2011 | Detective, Adventure | PS3, Xbox 360, PC, Switch, VR | Facial capture tech, interrogation gameplay, 1940s LA atmosphere. |
| Table Tennis | 2006 | Sports (Ping Pong) | Xbox 360, Wii | Rockstar’s tech showcase using RAGE engine; tight, fast-paced gameplay. |
Rockstar Games – Cancelled and Rumored Projects
The Rockstar Games list has its share of what-ifs, with cancelled and rumored projects fueling gaming speculation.
- Agent: Announced in 2009 as a PS3-exclusive spy thriller, Agent was set in the 1970s with stealth gameplay. Rockstar North’s project stalled due to GTA and Red Dead priorities, with its trademark abandoned in 2018.
- Bully 2: Rumored since Bully’s 2006 success, Bully 2 has been teased via leaks but never confirmed. Rockstar reportedly shelved it for GTA VI focus, frustrating fans.
- GTA Tokyo: A 2000s pitch for a GTA set in Japan was scrapped due to localization challenges. This game development idea hints at Rockstar’s global ambitions, though unrealized.
- Other Rumors: X buzz mentions a Midnight Club revival or Manhunt remake, but no solid evidence exists. A Red Dead Redemption remake is also speculated post-GTA VI.
Cancellations often stem from Rockstar’s focus on megahits like GTA VI, with 300 staff reportedly crunching.
This game publishing strategy prioritizes quality but leaves gaps, teaching video game publishers about resource trade-offs. GTA 6, set for fall 2025, overshadows these ghosts.
Rockstar Games – Impact on Game Development
Rockstar Games list has redefined gaming, setting sky-high standards for game development and game publishing.
They pioneered the modern open-world with Grand Theft Auto III, shifting game genres from linear to player-driven freedom.
GTA: San Andreas added RPG-like customization, while Red Dead Redemption 2 created a living world with dynamic NPCs and ecosystems.
These games inspired titles like The Witcher 3 and Assassin’s Creed, pushing game developers to craft immersive game genres.
Next, Rockstar’s game development elevated storytelling with tech.
L.A. Noire used groundbreaking facial mocap for interrogations. Or GTA V and RDR2 featured Hollywood-grade voice acting, with 500,000 dialogue lines in RDR2.
This focus on realism influenced video game publishers like Naughty Dog (The Last of Us), setting game genres standards for narrative depth.
Lastly, GTA Online (2013) revolutionized game publishing with its live-service model, generating billions via Shark Card microtransactions.
With 215 million GTA V units sold, its heists and updates keep players hooked.
This game development success inspired video game publishers to chase long-term revenue, like EA’s FIFA Ultimate Team.
Rockstar Games – What’s Next for the Studio?
The Rockstar Games list is poised for a seismic shift, with Rockstar Games GTA 6 leading the charge.
Here’s what’s cooking for the Rockstar Games future, from confirmed projects to wild speculation.
- Grand Theft Auto VI:
- Rockstar Games GTA 6 release date is set for fall 2025 on PS5 and Xbox Series X/S, with a PC release likely in 2026.
- The 2023 trailer, showcasing Vice City and dual protagonists (Lucia and Jason), broke viewing records.
- Leaks suggest a map twice the size of GTA V, with dynamic events and deeper NPC AI.
- Ongoing Support for GTA Online and RDR2:
- GTA Online gets regular updates, like heists and community events via Rockstar Games social club
- Red Dead Online sees lighter Rockstar Games support, but fans beg for more.
- Both use the Rockstar game launcher for seamless patches, showing game developers how to sustain video game genres long-term.
- Potential for New IPs:
- Rockstar’s focus on GTA VI has sidelined new IPs, but speculation hints at post-2025 projects.
- A sci-fi open-world or spy thriller (echoing cancelled Agent) could diversify the Rockstar Games list.
- Rockstar Games careers pages show hiring for unannounced titles, suggesting game development ambition.
Rockstar Games’ future, with GTA VI and ongoing game publishing, keeps them at the forefront of gaming, inspiring game developers to innovate.
Conclusion
Rockstar Games’ game list is a gaming legend, from GTA III’s open-world revolution to Red Dead Redemption 2’s cinematic masterpiece.
Their video game genres—crime, Westerns, detective—showcase game development genius, blending freedom, tech, and story.
Aspiring game developers can learn from Rockstar’s sandbox design, mocap mastery, and GTA Online’s revenue model, while video game publishers study their marketing hype and long-term support.
The all Rockstar Games catalog, with GTA 6 on the horizon, cements their unique spot in game publishing history.
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