The creators of the contentious Grand Theft Auto 6 parody game, Grand Taking Ages, are making headlines again. After Sony removed the game from the PlayStation Store, it has now reappeared on Steam following significant modifications to meet Valve's approval standards.
Grand Taking Ages, described by its developers as a parody management simulator, allows players to take on the role of running a game development studio. Initially, the game caught attention for its use of AI-generated art and a satirical take on the prolonged wait for Rockstar's GTA 6. Despite featuring a list of improbable gameplay features and fabricated awards from gaming sites, Grand Taking Ages VI briefly appeared on the PlayStation Store with a slated release date of May 2025, where users could even wishlist it.
However, Sony swiftly pulled the game from its store. Undeterred, the developers, Violarte, made key adjustments and successfully got the game approved for Steam. This involved a thorough review process, resulting in a new trailer, updated screenshots, and a revamped game presentation to clearly distinguish Grand Taking Ages from GTA 6 and highlight its unique parody angle.
Notably, the game's title no longer includes "VI," and the logo and descriptions have been altered to avoid confusion with Rockstar's iconic GTA imagery. Yet, the use of generative AI remains a core element, particularly evident in the game's voice overs, as disclosed on the Steam page in line with Valve's AI policies.
The new description on the Grand Taking Ages Steam page 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 explained their different approach with Valve compared to Sony, engaging with the Steam team about the game concept prior to submission. This proactive strategy helped align the game with Steam's guidelines. The developers also cited other successful parodies, like Grand Theft Hamlet, to argue for the protection of such creative works.
With the recent updates, Violarte is now pushing to get Grand Taking Ages relisted on the PlayStation Store, asserting that the changes made should resolve any previous issues. They have submitted a request to Sony, highlighting that Valve's approval should serve as a testament to the game's readiness for other platforms.
The brief appearance of Grand Taking Ages VI on the PlayStation Store raised questions about Sony's curation process. In contrast, Valve's more open policy on Steam is well-known, with the platform often hosting a variety of games, some utilizing generative AI.
Meanwhile, fans eagerly await the official release of GTA 6, set to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S in the fall of 2025.
