A Russian modding group, known as Revolution Team, has launched its ambitious 'GTA Vice City Nextgen Edition' mod, despite facing YouTube takedowns initiated by Rockstar's parent company, Take-Two. This mod transports the world, cutscenes, and missions from the 2002 classic, Vice City, into the 2008 game, GTA 4, creating a fresh yet nostalgic experience for fans.
In their video description, the modders expressed frustration over Take-Two's actions, which included the deletion of their YouTube channel without prior warning or communication. This move not only erased hundreds of hours of development streams but also severed their connection with an international audience. Their teaser trailer had quickly amassed over 100,000 views and 1,500 comments, underscoring the mod's anticipated reception.
The team described the channel's removal as a "cruel move" and noted the emotional toll it took on them, especially as they had envisioned a celebratory stream for the mod's launch. Despite these setbacks, they successfully released the mod on the promised date, albeit as a standalone package instead of requiring a legitimate copy of GTA 4, as originally planned. This change was made to ensure stable performance for a broader audience amid the uncertainties.
Revolution Team emphasized that their mod is free and non-commercial, created by fans for fans, and expressed gratitude to the original game's developers, not the publisher. They lamented Take-Two's stance against modding initiatives that aim to keep interest alive in iconic games, hoping their project might set a positive precedent for the modding community.
Take-Two's history of aggressive takedowns related to Rockstar games has strained its relationship with modders. The company has previously targeted various mods, including an AI-powered GTA 5 story mode mod and a VR mod for Red Dead Redemption 2. Interestingly, Take-Two has also been known to hire modders it once opposed, and some mods have been taken down only for Rockstar to later announce official remasters.
A former Rockstar technical director, Obbe Vermeij, defended Take-Two's actions, stating that the company is protecting its business interests. He noted that the 'VC NextGen Edition' mod directly competes with the Definitive Edition, while projects like the Liberty City Preservation Project could interfere with potential remasters.
The future of the 'GTA Vice City Nextgen Edition' mod remains uncertain, as it's unclear how long it will be publicly available or if Take-Two will demand its removal. The modding community watches closely to see how this situation unfolds and whether it will influence future modding endeavors.
