Overview
A small team in Dundee changed gaming twice. DMA Design started creating Amiga shooters, struck gold with Lemmings’ puzzle innovation, then pivoted completely to create Grand Theft Auto—a controversial open-world game that would spawn one of the industry’s biggest franchises after DMA became Rockstar North.
Fast facts
- Founded: 1987.
- Location: Dundee, Scotland.
- Founder: Dave Jones.
- Became: Rockstar North (2002).
Evolution
| Era |
Focus |
| 1987-1990 |
Amiga action games |
| 1991-1996 |
Lemmings era |
| 1997-2001 |
GTA development |
| 2002+ |
Rockstar North |
Key titles
| Title |
Year |
Platform |
| Menace |
1988 |
Amiga |
| Blood Money |
1989 |
Amiga |
| Lemmings |
1991 |
Multi-platform |
| Uniracers |
1994 |
SNES |
| Grand Theft Auto |
1997 |
PC/PlayStation |
| GTA 2 |
1999 |
PC/PlayStation |
Lemmings phenomenon
| Aspect |
Detail |
| Concept |
Guide mindless creatures |
| Sales |
Millions worldwide |
| Ports |
Every platform imaginable |
| Cultural impact |
Mainstream puzzle gaming |
GTA origins
| Element |
Approach |
| Original concept |
Race’n’Chase |
| Evolution |
Crime focus emerged |
| Controversy |
Violence concerns |
| Reception |
Cult hit |
Company ownership
| Year |
Status |
| 1987 |
Independent |
| 1997 |
Acquired by Gremlin |
| 1999 |
Sold to Infogrames |
| 1999 |
Acquired by Take-Two |
| 2002 |
Renamed Rockstar North |
See also