The creators of the controversial Grand Theft Auto 6 parody, Grand Taking Ages, have successfully launched the game on Steam after its removal from the PlayStation Store. Initially released on PlayStation with AI-generated assets and a May 2025 release date, Sony swiftly removed it.
Grand Taking Ages, a management simulator where players run a game development studio, satirizes the long-awaited GTA 6. The game's initial PlayStation Store listing featured artwork reminiscent of Rockstar's style, alongside improbable gameplay features and fictitious awards.
Following its removal, the developers, Violarte, made significant changes to secure Steam approval. These included removing the "VI" from the title, redesigning the logo, and updating descriptions and visuals to better distinguish it from GTA 6. While still utilizing AI for voiceovers (as disclosed per Steam's AI guidelines), the updated trailer and screenshots emphasize the parody aspect.
The updated Steam page description reads: "Coming Soon Since Forever! Start your game dev journey in mom's garage! Battle angry fans, dodge ruthless journalists, and perfect the art of 'creative' deadlines. Survive on pizza and energy drinks while building your dream studio into... a slightly better garage!"
Violarte adopted a proactive approach with Valve, discussing the game's concept before submission, ensuring alignment with Steam's guidelines. They cite similar projects, such as Grand Theft Hamlet, as precedents for parody protection.
Despite Steam's approval, Violarte aims to reinstate Grand Taking Ages on the PlayStation Store, believing the updates address Sony's initial concerns. They've submitted a request highlighting the changes that satisfied Valve.
The incident highlights the contrasting approaches of Sony and Valve towards content curation. While Sony's process came under scrutiny, Steam's more open policy is evident in its diverse game library, increasingly incorporating AI-generated content. Meanwhile, the official release of GTA 6 is slated for Fall 2025 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.
