A Russian modding group, known as Revolution Team, has released its ambitious project, 'GTA Vice City Nextgen Edition,' despite facing YouTube takedowns from Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar Games. This mod impressively ports the entire world, cutscenes, and missions from the 2002 classic, Vice City, into the 2008 game, GTA 4.
In a detailed statement, the modders expressed their frustration over the sudden removal of their YouTube channel by Take-Two, without prior warning or communication. They highlighted the significant effort and time invested in the channel, which included numerous streams documenting the mod's development process. The modders also lamented the loss of connection with their international audience, noting that a teaser trailer for the mod had garnered over 100,000 views and 1,500 comments within a day before the channel was deleted without any chance of recovery.
Despite these setbacks, Revolution Team proceeded with the release of GTA Vice City Nextgen Edition on the scheduled date. Initially, the mod was intended to require a legitimate copy of GTA 4 to play as a gesture of respect to the publisher. However, due to the current uncertainties, the mod was released as a standalone, installation-ready package to ensure stable performance for a broader audience.
The modders acknowledged that Take-Two would likely view their actions unfavorably, given the company's history of issuing takedowns for similar projects. Nevertheless, they remained defiant, emphasizing that their project is a non-commercial, fan-made initiative aimed at maintaining interest in iconic games. They expressed regret over Take-Two's stance on modding, hoping that their project might set a precedent within the modding community.
Take-Two Interactive has a well-documented history of targeting mods related to Rockstar Games, including takedowns of an AI-powered GTA 5 story mode mod, a VR mod for Red Dead Redemption 2, and the recent Liberty City Preservation Project. Interestingly, Take-Two has occasionally hired modders to work for Rockstar Games, and some mods have been taken down only for Rockstar to later announce remasters of the same games.
A former Rockstar Games technical director, Obbe Vermeij, defended Take-Two's actions, stating that the company, as a commercial entity, is obligated to protect its business interests. He noted that the VC NextGen Edition mod competes directly with the Definitive Edition, and the Liberty City preservation project could interfere with potential future remasters.
The key question moving forward is whether Take-Two will attempt to take down the GTA Vice City Nextgen Edition mod itself.
