Rockstar at odds with Team Bondi - Report
Leaked emails detail publishers "disdain" for L.A. Noire developer; next Team Bondi game not coming through Rockstar.
It has been clear the development of L.A. Noire was troubled, with the International Game Developers Association recently describing reports of working conditions at Team Bondi, the Australian studio behind the game, as "absolutely unacceptable." Emails revealed to trade site GamesIndustry.biz have laid bare more troubles at the house responsible for creating one of the highest profile games ever to come out of the antipodean nation.
"I've heard a lot about Rockstar's disdain for Team Bondi, and it has been made quite clear that they will not publish Team Bondi's next game," an unnamed source said to GI.biz. "Rockstar used to be very keen on making Team Bondi something like 'Rockstar Sydney'…the more they worked with Team Bondi management, the more they came to understand that this was a terrible idea."
The leaked emails detail the mutual frustrations senior management had with studio head Brendan McNamara. One missive from the Team Bondi head details his anger over Team Bondi branding being left off L.A. Noire promotional material, saying "I'll never forget being treated like an absolute **** by these people." The emails also back up the complaints with working conditions that had been previously reported, with seven-day weeks of 12-hour days being standard in early 2009, more than two years before the game's eventual release.
L.A. Noire was first announced in 2004, and was initially rumored to be a Sony exclusive; Rockstar snapped up the title in 2006. Speaking at the time, McNamara said, "The longstanding mutual respect and the combined experience between the two of us make this a great partnership."
As of press time, Rockstar had not responded to GameSpot's request for comment.
Another Crab's Treasure Is A Soulslike 3D Platformer | GameSpot Review Stellar Blade Review Nintendo 64 – April 2024 Game Updates – Nintendo Switch Online Super Monkey Ball Banana Rumble - Official Multiplayer Features Trailer PUBG | Erangel Classic Returns Gori: Cuddly Carnage | Meow Launch Date Announcement Trailer Genshin Impact - "Arlecchino: Afterglow of Calamity" | Collected Miscellany Marvel Rivals - Official Loki Character Reveal Trailer | The King of Yggsgard Fortnite Festival - Official Billie Eilish Cinematic Season 3 Trailer Remnant 2 - The Forgotten Kingdom | DLC Launch Trailer Stellar Blade - Official "The Journey: Part 2" Behind The Scenes Trailer | PS5 Games Dead by Daylight | Tome 19: Splendor | Reveal Trailer
Please enter your date of birth to view this video
By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's
Terms of Use and Privacy Policy
Got a news tip or want to contact us directly? Email news@gamespot.com
Join the conversation