Amid Lawsuit, GTA 5 Boss Incorporates New Studios

Amid his ongoing lawsuit against Rockstar Games over Grand Theft Auto V, the company's former executive Leslie Benzies is moving to create new studios in Scotland.

According to The Scotsman, Benzies, the former president of GTA V developer Rockstar North, has incorporated companies called Royal Circus Games Limited, Starship Group, Everywhere Game Limited, VR-Chitect Limited, and one other. Royal Circus Games stated in its government filing that it will be a game developer, creating titles for console, PC, and mobile devices. VR-Chitect's mission, meanwhile, is to produce VR-related products.

Royal Circus trademarked a game name, Time for a New World, along with a related hashtag #TFANW

What the other studios might do is unknown. We also don't know if any of these companies will ever even exist, as Benzies has only filed paperwork for them to potentially be created.

All five are incorporated in Scotland, where Rockstar North is located, and their existence could give the Scottish gaming market a "major boost," according to The Scotsman.

In January 2016, Rockstar confirmed that Benzies left Rockstar North, following a 17-month sabbatical. In April of that year, he sued Rockstar Games for $150 million in royalties and alleged that he was forced out. Rockstar parent company Take-Two, however, doesn't see it that way.

The company said it was Benzies' "significant performance and conduct issues" that ultimately created a situation that led to his eventual resignation. Take-Two also said that his claims are "entirely without merit and in many instances downright bizarre."

We'll report back with more on the Benzies vs. Rockstar case as it becomes available.

As for GTA V, more than three years after its initial release, the open-world sandbox game continues to sell. In fact, it was the No. 6 overall best-selling game of the year in the US for 2016, while it remains a chart-topper in the UK as well.