Leslie Benzies has Left Rockstar North Studio

Leslie Benzies has left Rockstar North studio. Leslie Benzies was the main developer of the popular games Grand Theft Auto and also the head of the studio. According to the company’s representatives, he has left the studio 17 months ago.

The Grand Theft Auto series is set in fictional American cities. The main player has missions to accomplish in order for the game to progress. Alongside those missions, the player can engage in side activities like shooting, driving and buying clothes. The series has created a lot of controversy, because of its violent and adult theme. The series was created in 1997 by DMA Design and until 2014 it had 11 stand-alone games and 4 expansion packages. The third game in the series was highly praised, especially for the immersive experience and the 3D setting. Until September 2015, the series has managed to sell more than 220 million units. According to The Telegraph, the Grand Theft Auto series is one of the most successful game series ever created.

Rockstar North has had a major role in creating the games, the latest being the GTA V, launched in 2013. The studio that is based in Scotland has been known in the last 20 years not only for launching the Grand Theft Auto series, but for launching Red Dead Redemption and the first Manhunt as well. In 2014, the Rockstar founders, Leslie Benzies, Sam Houser and Dan Houser entered the Academy of Arts & Sciences Hall of Fame.

Officials from the studio have confirmed not only the Benzies has left, but that the company will go on without him. One year ago, there were some speculations that Benzies has left the studio, but they weren’t confirmed. Recently, the company confirmed that Benzies has left on September 1, 2014 and has decided not to return and work for the company any longer.

Rockstar North was previously named DMA Design and was joined by Benzies only in 1999. He then worked at the Space Station Silicon Valley game, as a programmer. After that, he went on to work on the Grand Theft Auto game.

Rockstar Games has its main location in New York, but has other smaller studios, all around the world. Rockstar North has hundreds of talented developers working on their games. Read Dead Redemption was actually created in the Rockstar studio headquartered in San Diego. The studio is now led by Rob Nelson and Aaron Garbut, who have been working for the studio for many years.

Even though Leslie Benzies has left Rockstar North studio, the game studio will continue his work and he will always be remembered as an important contributor to the studio and to the famous series he helped create.

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