Before Team Bondi disbanded after the release of L.A. Noire, there was hope that the Rockstar Games published detective extravaganza would get a sequel. With Bondi’s proposed follow-up falling into obscurity, there was a glimmer of hope recently when Video Games Deluxe seemingly suggested it was working on what could be L.A. Noire 2, but the studio has now shut down those rumors.
Hopes for an open world game follow up to L.A. Noire were running high after Australian composer Freyja Garbett revealed they had been collaborating with the studio (comprised of former Team Bondi members) on a new project known as Sowden House. As spotted by VGC, Garbett’s recent post on Instagram read as follows: “From the creators of L.A. Noire comes Sowden House, a psychological thriller set in 1940s L.A. that will have you questioning your sanity.”
With the post going viral, Video Games Deluxe now clarifies in a statement provided to VGC that “we are working exclusively on projects for Rockstar. We commissioned some music from a local composer Freyja Garbett for a VR project that we were working on a number of years ago when between projects.” The VR game in question is reportedly based on an unused case from L.A. Noire, and is nothing “more of a tech demo than anything else.” Sorry, folks we won’t be getting a sequel to one of the best games in Rockstar Games’ library after all.
Garbett’s post is more of a celebration of the project than anything, as the studio adds that “we have no idea whether this will ever see the light of day, but we decided to finish the score commission to support a local composer.” As well all know, Rockstar Games is grinding toward the GTA 6 release date, with all hands on deck to deliver the new PS5 game and new Xbox game after a decade of waiting. But what exactly are the projects Video Games Deluxe is working on with the acclaimed developer?
Following the release of L.A. Noire: The VR Case files, a LinkedIn post from 2020 confirms that Video Games Deluxe were beginning work on a brand-new game: “Having finished the critically well received LA Noire: The V.R. Case Files we are now gearing up for a new project. 2020 marks our 7th year of working exclusively for Rockstar in Sydney.”
It is possible that the studio could be assisting or solely developing the GTA San Andreas VR port that was announced a Meta Quest title back in 2021, but word on this VR game has been exceptionally slim since then. A sequel to L.A. Noire is a dream title for many players out there, and we’d love to see a potential follow-up shift the story to 1980s Miami or 1970s San Francisco. Yet, hope for L.A. Noire 2 remains fleeting. The only remnants of a sequel can be found in Team Bondi’s canceled successor that would have taken place in Shanghai in 1936.
In other gaming news, Starfield’s massive Elder Scrolls mod has bad news for fans, and MW3 looks set for a Deadpool and Wolverine crossover.
