The creators of the controversial Grand Theft Auto 6 parody, "Grand Taking Ages," are back in the game, this time securing a spot on Steam after Sony removed it from the PlayStation Store. This management simulator, according to its developers, satirizes the long-awaited release of Rockstar's GTA 6.
Initially launched on the PlayStation Store with a May 2025 release date, the game, featuring AI-generated art and humorous gameplay elements, was quickly pulled by Sony. However, after significant revisions, "Grand Taking Ages" (the "VI" has been dropped) received approval from Valve for Steam distribution.
Developer Violarte informed IGN that the game underwent a rigorous review process, resulting in a new trailer, updated screenshots, and a revised presentation to clearly distinguish it from GTA 6. While the art still bears a resemblance to Rockstar's style, it's been altered to better fit parody guidelines.
The game continues to utilize AI, specifically for voiceovers, a fact disclosed on the Steam page in accordance with Steam's AI policies. The trailer showcases the results of this AI implementation.
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, engaging with their team before submission to ensure compliance with their guidelines. They cite other projects, such as "Grand Theft Hamlet," as examples of successful GTA parodies.
Despite its successful Steam launch, Violarte aims to return to the PlayStation Store, submitting a request highlighting the changes made and Valve's approval.
The contrasting responses from Sony and Valve highlight the differing approaches to content curation. While Steam's more open policy allows for a wider range of games, including those utilizing AI, Sony's stricter approach raises questions about its curation process. Regardless, GTA 6 is slated for release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S in Fall 2025.
