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, where players run a game development studio, initially landed on the PlayStation Store last month, complete with AI-generated art and a May 2025 release date. Despite its satirical take on the long-awaited GTA 6, featuring a humorous list of improbable gameplay features and fake awards, Sony swiftly pulled the plug.
However, after significant revisions, Grand Taking Ages has resurfaced on Steam. Developer Violarte explained to IGN that the game underwent a thorough review process, resulting in approval. The Steam page boasts a new trailer and updated screenshots, all reinforcing the parody angle.
The changes implemented include dropping the “VI” from the title, a redesigned logo, revised descriptions, and an overall presentation shift to clearly distinguish it from GTA 6. While the art still bears a resemblance to Rockstar's iconic style, it's subtly different. The game still utilizes generative AI, a fact disclosed on the Steam page, specifically mentioning AI-generated voiceovers—the effectiveness of which is evident in the trailer.
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 different approach with Valve, proactively engaging with their team to discuss the game's concept before submission. This proactive strategy ensured alignment with Steam's guidelines. They cite other projects, such as Grand Theft Hamlet, as examples of successful GTA parodies.
Violarte is now aiming for a PlayStation Store return, submitting a request highlighting the changes that led to Steam's approval. They are confident Sony will approve the updated version.
The initial PlayStation Store listing raised questions about Sony's curation process, contrasting sharply with Steam's more open approach. Steam, along with other app stores, is known for its diverse range of titles, many now incorporating generative AI.
GTA 6 is slated for release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in the fall of 2025.
