The creators of the controversial parody game Grand Taking Ages, which previously satirized the long wait for Grand Theft Auto 6, have launched a Steam page for their project after Sony removed it from the PlayStation Store. Grand Taking Ages is described by its developers as a parody management simulator where players take on the role of running a game development studio.
Last month, Grand Taking Ages VI appeared on the PlayStation Store, complete with what appeared to be AI-generated art and a list of improbable gameplay features, alongside fake awards from gaming websites. The game was even slated for a May 2025 release and users could wishlist it. However, Sony quickly pulled the game from their store.
Now, after making what they describe as key adjustments, the developers have successfully convinced Valve to allow Grand Taking Ages on Steam. Developer Violarte emphasized to IGN that the game underwent a thorough review process before being approved. The Steam page now features a new trailer and updated screenshots, all reinforcing the parody theme.
Among the changes, Violarte dropped the "VI" from the title, altered the logo, descriptions, and overall presentation to differentiate it 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 incorporates generative AI, which is disclosed on the Steam page for voice overs.
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 explained that they engaged with Valve's team before officially submitting the game, which helped align the project with Steam's guidelines. They cited other successful parodies, such as Grand Theft Hamlet, to argue that parodies of GTA should be protected from takedowns.
The developers are now seeking to have Grand Taking Ages relisted on the PlayStation Store, citing the changes that convinced Valve as evidence that the game should also be acceptable to Sony. They have formally requested Sony to reconsider, expressing confidence that the adjustments will resolve any previous issues.
The brief appearance of Grand Taking Ages VI on the PlayStation Store raised questions about Sony's curation process, while Valve's more open policy on Steam is well-known. The use of generative AI in game development continues to grow, affecting various digital marketplaces.
Meanwhile, Grand Theft Auto 6 is set to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S in the fall of 2025.
