The developers behind the contentious Grand Theft Auto 6 parody game, Grand Taking Ages, have returned with a new Steam page after Sony removed the title from the PlayStation Store. Grand Taking Ages, as described by its creators, is a parody management simulator where players manage a game development studio.
Last month, despite using what appeared to be AI-generated art to poke fun at the long-awaited release of Rockstar’s GTA 6, along with a list of improbable gameplay features and fake awards from gaming websites, Grand Taking Ages VI was listed on the PlayStation Store with a projected release date of May 2025. Users could even add the game to their wishlists on PlayStation.
Unsurprisingly, Sony took down Grand Taking Ages VI from the PlayStation Store. However, after making key adjustments, the game has now been reintroduced on Steam, with its creators stating that these changes were necessary to satisfy Valve's standards.
Developer Violarte informed IGN that Grand Taking Ages underwent a "thorough" review process and has been approved for publication on Steam. The game's Steam page now features a fresh trailer and updated screenshots, emphasizing its parody nature.
So, what has changed? Violarte removed the "VI" from the game's title and altered the logo, descriptions, and overall presentation to clearly distinguish Grand Taking Ages from GTA 6 and highlight its unique approach. The game no longer uses art that closely resembles Rockstar's iconic GTA imagery, opting instead for art that only slightly echoes it.
However, Grand Taking Ages continues to employ generative AI. In compliance with Steam's AI policies, Violarte disclosed on the game's Steam page that it used "AI services" for voiceovers, which is evident upon watching the trailer.
Here's the updated description from the Grand Taking Ages Steam page:
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 took a different approach with Valve compared to their interactions with Sony. "We approached Steam differently by engaging with their team about the concept of our game before officially submitting it," a representative told IGN. "This allowed us to get their perspective early on, ensuring alignment with their guidelines."
The company cited other projects like Grand Theft Hamlet, a documentary about two unemployed actors staging a production of Hamlet within GTA Online, as examples of how parody can thrive within existing genres while remaining creative and engaging.
Violarte is now pushing to have Grand Taking Ages reinstated on the PlayStation Store. "We genuinely believe that, with the recent updates, Grand Taking Ages is now ready to be relisted on the PlayStation Store," they stated. Violarte has reached out to Sony, highlighting the modifications that led Valve to approve the game for Steam release. "We strongly believe that there will be no issues with Sony this time, given the adjustments we've implemented," Violarte added.
The listing of Grand Taking Ages VI on the PlayStation Store initially raised questions about Sony's curation process. In contrast, Valve's more open policy on Steam is well-known. The platform, along with various app stores and the Nintendo eShop, is increasingly filled with content, much of which is now being generated by AI.
Meanwhile, GTA 6 is set to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S in the fall of 2025.
