The creators of the satirical game *Grand Taking Ages*, a parody of the long-awaited *Grand Theft Auto 6*, have made a comeback with a new Steam page after Sony removed the game from the PlayStation Store. This parody management simulator puts players in charge of a game development studio, poking fun at the extended wait for Rockstar's next installment.
Last month, *Grand Taking Ages VI* made an unexpected appearance on the PlayStation Store, complete with a May 2025 release date and wishlist functionality, despite its use of seemingly AI-generated art and a list of implausible gameplay features. The game also boasted fake awards from video game websites. However, Sony quickly pulled the game from its store.
Now, after making significant changes, *Grand Taking Ages* has been approved for release on Steam. Developer Violarte told IGN that the game underwent a thorough review process and now features a new trailer and updated screenshots to highlight its parody nature.
Among the changes, Violarte removed the "VI" from the title, revamped the logo, and altered the game's descriptions and presentation to differentiate it from *GTA 6* while maintaining its parody essence. Although the new art still resembles Rockstar's iconic style, it has been modified to be less direct.
The game continues to use generative AI, particularly for voice overs, as disclosed on the Steam page. The new 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 approached Valve differently from Sony, engaging with the Steam team early on to align the game with their guidelines. They cited other successful parodies like *Grand Theft Hamlet* to support their case for parody protection.
With these adjustments, Violarte is hopeful that *Grand Taking Ages* will be relisted on the PlayStation Store. They have already reached out to Sony, emphasizing that Valve's approval should pave the way for a smooth return.
The brief stint of *Grand Taking Ages VI* on the PlayStation Store raised questions about Sony's curation process, while Valve's more permissive policy on Steam is well-known. The increasing use of generative AI in game development is also evident across various platforms.
Meanwhile, *Grand Theft Auto 6* is set to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S in the fall of 2025.
