Defiant Modders Release 'GTA Vice City Nextgen Edition' Despite Take-Two Takedown

A Russian modding group, Revolution Team, has released its "GTA Vice City Nextgen Edition" mod despite facing YouTube takedowns from Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar Games' parent company. This ambitious project transplants the world, cutscenes, and missions of 2002's Grand Theft Auto: Vice City into the 2008 Grand Theft Auto IV engine.

The modders revealed that Take-Two deleted their YouTube channel without warning, resulting in the loss of a significant community and over 100,000 views of their teaser trailer. While deeply disappointed by this action, they prioritized releasing the mod as promised. They acknowledge the uncertainty surrounding its long-term availability but encourage others to share it as they see fit.

Initially planned to require a legitimate copy of GTA IV as a sign of respect, the mod is now released as a standalone installer to ensure wider accessibility given the circumstances. Revolution Team emphasizes the mod's non-commercial nature, created by fans for fans, expressing gratitude to the original game's developers. They hope their project might influence Take-Two's approach to modding initiatives.

Take-Two's history of aggressively pursuing takedowns of Rockstar game mods is well-documented, including past incidents involving AI-powered GTA 5 story mode mods, a Red Dead Redemption 2 VR mod, and the Liberty City Preservation Project. Interestingly, Take-Two has occasionally hired modders for Rockstar Games, and some mods have even preceded official remasters.

Former Rockstar Games technical director Obbe Vermeij offered a corporate perspective, stating that Take-Two's actions are about protecting its business interests. He cites the "GTA Vice City Nextgen Edition" as potentially competing with the GTA: The Trilogy - The Definitive Edition, and the Liberty City Preservation Project as potentially interfering with a hypothetical GTA IV remaster. He suggests that the best hope for the modding community is that Take-Two allows mods that don't directly compete with its products.

The question remains: will Take-Two attempt to remove the "GTA Vice City Nextgen Edition" mod itself?