The developer of the original Grand Theft Auto before it became Rockstar North was DMA Design.
DMA Design was founded in Dundee, Scotland, by David Jones in 1988. The studio first became famous for Lemmings, but its experiments with top-down vehicles and city environments eventually produced a prototype called Race'n'Chase. That project evolved into Grand Theft Auto, released in 1997.
DMA Design changed ownership several times before becoming closely associated with Rockstar Games. Take-Two Interactive acquired the studio in 1999, and it was renamed Rockstar Studios in March 2002. Two months later, the name became Rockstar North.
A common mix-up is confusing the developer with the publisher. DMA Design created the original game, while BMG Interactive handled its initial publishing; Rockstar Games later became the franchise’s prominent publisher and brand.