Sony Removes GTA 6 Parody Game from PlayStation Store; Now Approved for Steam Release

The creators of the controversial parody game, Grand Taking Ages, which initially drew attention for its satirical take on the long-awaited Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6), have launched a Steam page following its removal from the PlayStation Store by Sony. The game, described by its developers as a parody management simulator, challenges players to manage a game development studio.

Last month, despite featuring AI-generated art and a list of outlandish gameplay features alongside fictitious awards from gaming websites, Grand Taking Ages VI managed to appear on the PlayStation Store with a projected release date of May 2025. It even allowed users to wishlist the game. However, Sony swiftly removed the game, citing concerns over its content and authenticity.

Now, after undergoing significant modifications, Grand Taking Ages has been approved for release on Steam. Developer Violarte confirmed to IGN that the game went through an extensive review process and now boasts a fresh trailer and updated screenshots, all aimed at emphasizing its parody nature. Key changes include dropping the "VI" from the title, altering the logo, and refining the game's descriptions and visuals to distinctly separate it from GTA 6 while still poking fun at the iconic series.

Despite these changes, the use of generative AI remains a significant aspect of Grand Taking Ages. Violarte has been transparent about using "AI services" for voice overs, as disclosed on the Steam page, which is evident in the game's trailer.

The new description on the Steam page humorously encapsulates the game's premise:

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 explained that their approach with Valve was more collaborative than with Sony, engaging with the Steam team about the game's concept before official submission. This allowed them to align the game with Steam's guidelines effectively. The developer cited other parody projects like Grand Theft Hamlet as justification for the protection of parody games from takedowns.

With the game now approved on Steam, Violarte is eager to see Grand Taking Ages relisted on the PlayStation Store. They have reached out to Sony, highlighting the adjustments made and Valve's subsequent approval, expressing confidence that these changes will resolve any previous issues.

The brief appearance of Grand Taking Ages VI on the PlayStation Store raised questions about Sony's curation process. In contrast, Valve's more open policy on Steam is well-known, with the platform hosting a variety of games, some of which utilize generative AI.

Meanwhile, fans eagerly await the official release of GTA 6, slated for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S in the fall of 2025.