GTA Vice City Next-Gen Mod Defies Take-Two's Cease & Desist

A Russian modding group, Revolution Team, has released its ambitious "GTA Vice City Nextgen Edition" mod, defying takedown notices from Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar Games' parent company. This impressive mod seamlessly transplants the world, cutscenes, and missions of 2002's Grand Theft Auto: Vice City into the 2008 GTA 4 engine.

The modders revealed that Take-Two deleted their YouTube channel without warning, resulting in the loss of hundreds of hours of streamed development footage and a significant portion of their international community. Despite this setback, they proceeded with the release, stating the emotional toll of the channel's removal but prioritizing the project's promised launch date. They acknowledge the uncertainty surrounding the mod's long-term availability but remain open to reuploads while discouraging active promotion.

Initially planned to require a legitimate copy of GTA 4 as a gesture of respect, the mod is now released as a standalone installer to ensure broader accessibility. Revolution Team emphasizes the mod's non-commercial nature, created by fans for fans, expressing gratitude to the original game's developers while criticizing Take-Two's stance on modding initiatives.

Take-Two's history of aggressive takedowns of Rockstar game mods is well-documented, including instances targeting AI-powered GTA 5 story mode mods, a Red Dead Redemption 2 VR mod, and the Liberty City Preservation Project. Ironically, Take-Two has sometimes hired modders for Rockstar, and some mods have preceded official remasters.

Former Rockstar Games technical director Obbe Vermeij defended Take-Two's actions, framing them as protecting business interests. He suggested the Vice City Nextgen Edition directly competes with the GTA: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, and projects like the Liberty City Preservation Project could hinder potential GTA 4 remasters. He argues that while frustrating, such actions are expected from commercial entities, expressing hope for greater tolerance of mods that don't pose a direct business threat.

The question remains: will Take-Two attempt to remove the "GTA Vice City Nextgen Edition" mod itself? The ongoing conflict highlights the complex relationship between game publishers and modding communities.