Sony Removes GTA 6 Parody Game from PS Store; Now Available on Steam

The creators of the controversial Grand Theft Auto 6 parody game, Grand Taking Ages, have launched a Steam page for their project after Sony removed it from the PlayStation Store. Grand Taking Ages is a parody management simulator where players take on the role of running a game development studio.

Last month, the game, initially titled Grand Taking Ages VI, appeared on the PlayStation Store with a release date set for May 2025. It utilized what appeared to be AI-generated art to satirize the prolonged wait for Rockstar's GTA 6, alongside a list of improbable gameplay features and fake awards from gaming websites. Users could even wishlist the game on PlayStation. However, Sony quickly pulled it from the store.

Now, after making key adjustments to address Valve's concerns, Grand Taking Ages is back, this time on Steam. Developer Violarte explained to IGN that the game underwent a thorough review process and was approved for publishing on Steam. The Steam page now features a new trailer and updated screenshots that emphasize the parody aspect of the project.

Significant changes include the removal of the "VI" from the game's title, a new logo, revised descriptions, and a refreshed overall presentation to clearly differentiate Grand Taking Ages from GTA 6 and highlight its unique direction. While the game no longer uses art that closely mimics Rockstar's iconic GTA imagery, it still retains a similar aesthetic.

Despite these changes, Grand Taking Ages continues to employ generative AI, particularly for its voiceovers, as disclosed on the Steam page in accordance with Steam's AI policies. The new description on the 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 approached Steam differently than Sony, engaging with Valve's team about the game's concept before submitting it officially. This proactive approach helped ensure alignment with Steam's guidelines. The developer cited other projects like Grand Theft Hamlet, a documentary about staging Hamlet within GTA Online, to argue that parodies of GTA should be protected from takedowns.

With the recent updates, Violarte is now seeking to have Grand Taking Ages reinstated on the PlayStation Store. They have reached out to Sony, highlighting the changes that convinced Valve to approve the game for Steam, and expressed confidence that there would be no issues this time around.

The initial listing of Grand Taking Ages VI on the PlayStation Store raised questions about Sony's curation process, whereas Valve's more open policy on Steam is well-known. The prevalence of generative AI in game development is increasingly evident across various platforms, including Steam, app stores, and the Nintendo eShop.

Meanwhile, GTA 6 is set to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S in the fall of 2025.