Founded in December 1998 by British gaming veterans Sam and Dan Houser, Terry Donovan, Jamie King, and Gary Foreman, Rockstar Games emerged from the ashes of BMG Interactive as Take-Two Interactive's premium publishing label, establishing itself in New York City with a bold vision to push the boundaries of interactive entertainment. From their early stewardship of the top-down Grand Theft Auto series, Rockstar revolutionized the gaming landscape with 2001's Grand Theft Auto III, which pioneered the modern open-world genre and introduced players to fully explorable, living cities with unprecedented freedom and narrative depth. Through meticulous attention to detail, mature storytelling, and their uncompromising "when it's ready" development philosophy, Rockstar has created some of the most culturally influential and commercially successful franchises in gaming history, including the record-breaking Grand Theft Auto series (over 250 million copies sold), the critically acclaimed Red Dead saga, and innovative titles like L.A. Noire, Bully, and Max Payne. With their proprietary RAGE engine and a network of world-class studios spanning multiple continents, Rockstar continues to set new standards for immersive world-building, technological innovation, and cinematic storytelling, crafting experiences that transcend traditional gaming to become genuine cultural phenomena. Under the continued leadership of Sam Houser, the company remains committed to creating groundbreaking entertainment that challenges conventions and redefines what interactive media can achieve.