From a fish and chip shop to the world's most profitable entertainment product.

Countries & Cities · Published 29 September 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: Before it became the powerhouse behind Grand Theft Auto, Rockstar North was a scrappy startup known as DMA Design. Founded in 1988 by David Jones, the studio operated out of a Dundee fish and chip shop, eventually evolving through multiple acquisitions to define the modern open-world gaming genre.

The studio began as DMA Design in 1988, founded by David Jones in his hometown of Dundee. Jones, who had previously worked at a Timex factory, recruited friends from the Kingsway Amateur Computer Club, including Mike Dailly, Steve Hammond, and Russell Kay. Their first office was located above a former fish and chip shop at 134B Nethergate, a building dating back to 1893. The team initially found success with the 1991 release of Lemmings, which achieved 20 million lifetime sales across 21 platforms, turning Jones into a millionaire at age 25.

Following the Lemmings era, the studio navigated a turbulent period of partnerships with Nintendo and BMG Interactive. Financial instability led to a 1997 acquisition by Gremlin Interactive for £4.2 million, followed by a 1999 sale to Take-Two Interactive for a nominal £1, alongside the assumption of US$12.3 million in debt. This transition allowed for a closer collaboration with the newly formed Rockstar Games label. By 2002, the studio was integrated as Rockstar Studios and subsequently renamed Rockstar North in May of that year.

The studio's trajectory changed forever with the 2001 release of Grand Theft Auto III, the first entry in the series presented fully in 3D. It sold 6 million units in its first year and became a genre-defining title. This success paved the way for a string of massive hits, including Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, San Andreas, and Grand Theft Auto V. The latter is now recognized as the most profitable entertainment product of all time, cementing the studio's legacy in the industry.

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