Sony Pulled GTA 6 Parody Game Grand Taking Ages From the PlayStation Store — but It’s Now Cleared for Release on Steam

The creators of the controversial Grand Theft Auto 6 parody, "Grand Taking Ages," have successfully launched it on Steam after Sony removed it from the PlayStation Store. This management simulator, where players run a game development studio, initially sparked controversy due to its AI-generated art and satirical take on the long-awaited GTA 6.

Following its removal from the PlayStation Store, the developers, Violarte, made significant changes to secure Steam approval. These included removing the "VI" from the title, redesigning the logo, and updating descriptions and visuals to better distinguish the game from Rockstar's GTA franchise. While the game still utilizes AI-generated assets, including voiceovers (as disclosed per Steam's AI guidelines), the updated presentation emphasizes its parody nature.

The new 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 proactive approach with Valve, engaging with their team before submission to ensure alignment with their guidelines. They cite other projects, such as "Grand Theft Hamlet," as examples of successful GTA parodies. They’ve now submitted a request to Sony for reinstatement on the PlayStation Store, highlighting the Steam approval as evidence of the game's revised compliance.

The contrasting approaches of Sony and Valve highlight the different curation strategies employed by major platforms. While Sony's process faced scrutiny after the initial incident, Steam's more open policy is well-established. The increasing use of AI in game development further complicates these platform policies. Meanwhile, the highly anticipated GTA 6 is slated for release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in Fall 2025.