A Russian modding team, Revolution Team, has released its "GTA Vice City Nextgen Edition" mod despite facing YouTube takedowns from Take-Two Interactive, Rockstar's parent company. This ambitious project transplants Vice City's world, cutscenes, and missions from 2002 into the GTA 4 engine of 2008.
The modders publicly stated that Take-Two abruptly deleted their YouTube channel without prior notice or communication, resulting in the loss of hundreds of hours of streamed development footage and a significant connection with their international audience. Their teaser trailer alone garnered over 100,000 views and 1,500 comments in under 24 hours before the channel's removal. While acknowledging the emotional toll of this unexpected setback, the team prioritized releasing the mod as planned. They remain uncertain about the mod's long-term availability. While not explicitly encouraging re-uploads, they haven't actively discouraged them either.
Initially intended to require a legitimate GTA 4 copy, the mod was released as a standalone installer to ensure wider accessibility given the circumstances. The team emphasizes the mod's non-commercial nature, created by fans for fans, expressing gratitude to the original game's developers, not the publisher. They hope their project might influence Take-Two's approach to modding initiatives.
Take-Two's history of aggressive takedowns of Rockstar-related mods is well-documented, creating a strained relationship with the modding community. Previous examples include takedowns of an AI-powered GTA 5 story mode mod, a Red Dead Redemption 2 VR mod, and the Liberty City Preservation Project. Interestingly, Take-Two has sometimes hired modders for Rockstar Games, and some takedowns have preceded Rockstar's own remaster announcements.
Obbe Vermeij, a former Rockstar Games technical director, defended Take-Two's actions, framing them as protecting business interests. He suggested the "Vice City Nextgen Edition" directly competes with the "Definitive Edition," and the "Liberty City Preservation Project" could hinder a potential GTA 4 remaster. He believes the company is justified in protecting its commercial interests but hopes for more tolerance towards mods that don't pose a direct threat, citing the "GTA 3 for Dreamcast" mod as a positive example.
The crucial question remains: will Take-Two pursue the removal of the "GTA Vice City Nextgen Edition" mod itself?
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