Sony Removes GTA 6 Parody Game from PS Store; Now Available on Steam

The team behind the controversial Grand Theft Auto 6 parody game, Grand Taking Ages, has relaunched their project on Steam after Sony removed it from the PlayStation Store. The game, developed by Violarte, positions itself as a parody management simulator where players manage a game development studio.

Initially, Grand Taking Ages VI made headlines last month when it appeared on the PlayStation Store with a May 2025 release date, despite using AI-generated art and featuring a list of outlandish gameplay features and fake awards. Players could even wishlist the game on PlayStation. However, Sony quickly pulled it from their store.

Now, after making key adjustments, Grand Taking Ages has returned, this time on Steam. Violarte told IGN that the game underwent a "thorough" review process and is now approved for publishing on Steam. The Steam page boasts a new trailer and updated screenshots, emphasizing the parody angle that Violarte believes justifies the project.

Among the changes, Violarte removed the "VI" from the game's title, revamped the logo, descriptions, and overall presentation to clearly distinguish Grand Taking Ages from GTA 6 and highlight its unique direction. While the AI-generated art resembling Rockstar's iconic GTA imagery has been replaced, the new art still bears a noticeable similarity to it.

Despite these changes, Grand Taking Ages continues to use generative AI, particularly for voice overs, as disclosed on the Steam page. The new game description on Steam 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 approached Valve differently than Sony, engaging with the Steam team about the game's concept before official submission. This early dialogue allowed Violarte to align the project with Steam's guidelines. The company also cited other successful parodies, such as Grand Theft Hamlet, as evidence that parodies of GTA should be protected from takedowns.

Looking to return to the PlayStation Store, Violarte believes the recent updates make Grand Taking Ages ready for relisting. They have reached out to Sony, highlighting the changes that convinced Valve to approve the game for Steam, and expressed confidence that there will be no issues with Sony this time.

The initial appearance of Grand Taking Ages VI on the PlayStation Store raised questions about Sony's curation process. In contrast, Valve's more open approach to content on Steam is well-known, with the platform hosting a variety of games, including those utilizing generative AI.

Meanwhile, the much-anticipated GTA 6 is set to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X and S in the fall of 2025.