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, are back in the game, this time securing a spot on Steam after Sony removed it from the PlayStation Store. This management simulator, according to its developers, satirizes the long-awaited release of Rockstar's GTA 6.

Initially launched on the PlayStation Store last month, Grand Taking Ages (previously Grand Taking Ages VI) featured AI-generated art and a humorous list of improbable gameplay features, even garnering fake awards from gaming websites. Despite achieving wishlist status, Sony swiftly pulled the game. However, after significant revisions, Grand Taking Ages has reappeared on Steam, following a thorough review process by Valve.

The updated Steam page boasts a new trailer and screenshots, all emphasizing the parody aspect. Key changes include dropping the "VI" from the title, revamping the logo, descriptions, and presentation to clearly distinguish it from GTA 6. While the art still bears a resemblance to Rockstar's style, it’s subtly different.

The game continues to utilize generative AI, a fact disclosed on the Steam page, particularly for voiceovers (as evident in the trailer). The Steam page now features this description:

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, the developer, adopted a different strategy with Valve, engaging them on the game's concept before submission. This proactive approach ensured alignment with Steam's guidelines, unlike their experience with Sony. They cite other projects, like Grand Theft Hamlet, as examples of successful GTA parodies, arguing for the protection of parody within established genres.

Violarte has now requested Grand Taking Ages' reinstatement on the PlayStation Store, highlighting the successful Steam approval as evidence of the game's revised compliance. They are confident that Sony will approve the updated version.

The incident raises questions about Sony's curation process, contrasting sharply with Steam's more open approach. Steam, along with other app stores, is known for its diverse range of titles, increasingly incorporating generative AI.

GTA 6 itself is scheduled for release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in Fall 2025.