Defiant Modders Release 'GTA Vice City Nextgen Edition' Despite Take-Two Takedown

A Russian modding team, Revolution Team, has released its "GTA Vice City Nextgen Edition" mod despite Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar's parent company, issuing YouTube takedowns. This ambitious project transplants Vice City's world, cutscenes, and missions from 2002 into GTA 4's 2008 engine.

The modders reported that Take-Two deleted their YouTube channel without prior notice or communication, resulting in the loss of significant time, effort, and community engagement. The teaser trailer alone garnered over 100,000 views and 1,500 comments in under 24 hours before the channel's removal. Despite the setback, they proceeded with the mod's release as planned.

Initially, the mod was intended to require a legitimate copy of GTA 4, but due to the YouTube takedown, it's now available as a standalone installer to ensure wider accessibility. Revolution Team emphasizes the mod's non-commercial nature, created by fans for fans, expressing gratitude to the original game's developers, not the publisher. They hope their project will set a precedent for the modding community.

Take-Two's history of aggressive takedowns of Rockstar-related mods is well-documented, creating tension with the modding community. Past examples include takedowns of an AI-powered GTA 5 story mode mod, a VR mod for Red Dead Redemption 2, and the Liberty City Preservation Project. Interestingly, Take-Two has sometimes hired modders for Rockstar Games, and some removed mods have preceded official remasters.

Obbe Vermeij, a former Rockstar Games technical director, defended Take-Two's actions, stating that they are protecting their business interests. He argued that the "Vice City Nextgen Edition" directly competes with the "Definitive Edition," and projects like the Liberty City Preservation Project could interfere with a potential GTA 4 remaster. He suggested that the best hope for the modding community is that Take-Two allows mods that don't pose a direct business threat.

The future of the "GTA Vice City Nextgen Edition" mod remains uncertain, with the question of whether Take-Two will pursue its removal still unanswered.