Steam Approves 'Grand Theft Auto 6' Parody Game After Sony's Takedown

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 removal due to its use of AI-generated art and potentially misleading marketing.

Developer Violarte made significant changes to secure Steam approval. These included removing the "VI" from the title, redesigning the logo, and revising descriptions to better distinguish the game from Rockstar's GTA 6. While the art still bears resemblance to the GTA style, it's less directly derivative. The game's use of AI-generated voiceovers, in accordance with Steam's AI guidelines, is clearly disclosed.

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 employed a proactive strategy with Valve, engaging them in discussions about the game's concept before submission. This collaborative approach ensured alignment with Steam's policies, unlike their experience with Sony.

Violarte has requested reinstatement on the PlayStation Store, citing the successful Steam launch as evidence that the updated game complies with platform guidelines. The contrasting experiences highlight the differences between Sony's and Valve's content moderation approaches, with Steam's more lenient policy allowing a wider range of games, including those utilizing AI-generated assets. The official release of GTA 6 is still slated for Fall 2025 on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S.