An interactive crime thriller, murder mystery set in the 40s is Rockstar's next big game, the developer announced minutes ago.

LA. Noire will be developed by Team Bondi, a new Australian-based studio founded by Brendan McNamara, of The Getaway fame. The game is an "interactive detective story set in the classic noir period of the late 1940's." Rockstar says the game will blend action, detection and complex storytelling into a game that draws players into an open-ended challenge to sove and series of gruesome murders. The game will be set in the post-war Los Angeles of no freeways, drugs and jazz.

"Brendan and I have known each other for a long time, and to finally have the opportunity to work together on a game is exciting," said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games. "The longstanding mutual respect and the combined experience between the two of us make this a great partnership," added Brendan McNamara, CEO of Team Bondi.

No date has been set for release and Rockstar declined to say what platform or platforms it would be hitting, besides "next-gen." Does that rule out the Wii or not? I'm a little confused on my terms.

Rockstar says they will be releasing the trailer on Oct. 5. I can't wait to see what they do with this genre, with the exception of a few recent entries it's been an under-represented genre for quite awhile. Brian Crecente

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