The creators of the satirical game *Grand Taking Ages*, a humorous take on the long-awaited *GTA 6*, have returned—this time on Steam—after being removed from the PlayStation Store.
Described by its developers as a parody management simulator, *Grand Taking Ages* lets players run a fictional game development studio, complete with all the chaos and delays that come with it. The game previously appeared on the PlayStation Store under the title *Grand Taking Ages VI*, featuring what seemed to be AI-generated visuals poking fun at Rockstar’s iconic *GTA* series. It even included a May 2025 release date and a list of absurd gameplay features, drawing attention—and eventually removal—by Sony.
Despite its brief stint on PlayStation, the game has made a comeback via Steam following what its developer, Violarte, described as “key adjustments” to meet Valve’s guidelines. According to Violarte, the game underwent a “thorough” review process before finally being approved for publication on Steam.
What’s New With Grand Taking Ages?
For starters, the “VI” has been dropped from the title. Beyond that, the branding, logo, descriptions, and visual presentation have all been revised to clearly distinguish the parody from *GTA 6*. While earlier visuals mimicked Rockstar's signature art style, the new assets are slightly more abstract—still reminiscent, but just different enough to avoid immediate legal scrutiny.
AI remains a core part of the project. As required by Steam’s content policies, Violarte disclosed the use of "AI services" for voiceovers in the trailer—a fact that becomes apparent after a quick watch. Despite the comedic tone, the game continues to push boundaries in both satire and production methodology.
The updated Steam 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!
How Did It Get Approved on Steam?
Violarte took a more strategic approach with Steam compared to how it initially approached Sony. Instead of submitting directly, the team engaged with Valve early to explain the concept and ensure compliance with platform policies. This proactive communication helped align expectations and paved the way for approval.
The developer also cited precedents like *Grand Theft Hamlet*, a documentary about actors staging Shakespeare inside *GTA Online*, as proof that parody can coexist within gaming culture without infringing on intellectual property rights. “These examples showcase how parody can celebrate and entertain within existing genres while remaining creative and engaging,” Violarte said.
Back to PlayStation? Developer Thinks So
Violarte isn’t done with PlayStation yet. The team has formally requested Sony to reconsider the game’s listing, emphasizing that the same changes accepted by Steam should satisfy PlayStation’s standards. “We strongly believe that there will be no issues with Sony this time, given the adjustments we've implemented,” the developer stated.
While the original listing raised questions about PlayStation’s curation process, Steam’s open-access policy is well known. Platforms like Steam, various app stores, and even the Nintendo eShop continue to see an influx of content—some polished, some not so much, and increasingly powered by generative AI.
Meanwhile, the real *GTA 6* is set to launch on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X|S in fall 2025, leaving fans caught between anticipation and parody.
