Parody Game Grand Taking Ages Cleared for Steam Release

The creators of the controversial Grand Theft Auto 6 parody, "Grand Taking Ages," have successfully launched the game on Steam after Sony removed it from the PlayStation Store. This management simulator, which satirizes the long-awaited release of GTA 6, initially faced rejection due to its use of AI-generated assets and its close resemblance to Rockstar's iconic imagery.

Developer 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 GTA 6. While the game still utilizes AI-generated assets, including voiceovers, Violarte fully disclosed this usage, complying with Steam's AI guidelines.

The Steam page now features a new trailer and updated screenshots, emphasizing the parody nature of the game. Its 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 employed a different strategy with Valve, proactively discussing the game concept before submission, ensuring alignment with Steam's policies. They cite other projects like "Grand Theft Hamlet" as precedent for parody protection.

Despite its Steam success, Violarte aims to reinstate "Grand Taking Ages" on the PlayStation Store, believing the implemented changes address Sony's previous concerns. They've submitted a request highlighting the Steam approval as evidence of the game's revised presentation.

The contrasting experiences with Sony and Valve highlight the different approaches to content curation. While Steam's more open policy is well-known, Sony's stricter approach raised questions about its review process. The increasing use of AI in game development further complicates these curation challenges.

The official release of GTA 6 is scheduled for Fall 2025 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.