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.

Described by its developers as a satirical management simulator, "Grand Taking Ages" tasks players with running a game development studio. Last month, despite employing seemingly AI-generated art to poke fun at the long-awaited GTA 6, and featuring a quirky list of gameplay elements and fabricated awards, the game briefly appeared on the PlayStation Store with a May 2025 release date. Players could even add it to their wishlists.

Sony swiftly removed "Grand Taking Ages" from its store. However, following significant revisions, the game has resurfaced on Steam, having successfully navigated Valve's review process.

Violarte, the developer, confirmed to IGN that "Grand Taking Ages" underwent a rigorous review and secured Steam's approval. The Steam page boasts a new trailer and updated screenshots, all emphasizing the parody aspect used to justify the project.

Key changes include removing the "VI" from the title, revising the logo, descriptions, and overall presentation to clearly distinguish it from GTA 6. While the updated art still bears a resemblance to Rockstar's iconic style, it's a less direct imitation.

Generative AI remains a core component. In compliance with Steam's AI policies, Violarte disclosed the use of "AI services" for voiceovers, a fact readily apparent in the trailer.

The updated 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 different strategy with Valve, engaging with their team about the game's concept before submitting it for review. This proactive approach ensured alignment with Steam's guidelines.

The developer cited similar projects, like "Grand Theft Hamlet," as evidence that GTA parodies deserve protection from takedown notices. Violarte argues these parodies celebrate and entertain within existing genres while remaining creative and engaging.

Despite its Steam success, Violarte aims to reinstate "Grand Taking Ages" on the PlayStation Store, submitting a request to Sony, highlighting the changes that satisfied Valve.

The initial PlayStation Store listing raised 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, and sometimes low-quality, content, with generative AI increasingly contributing to its creation.

Meanwhile, the highly anticipated GTA 6 is set to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in Fall 2025.