A brand-new Grand Theft Auto: Vice City mod is making waves in the gaming community, offering players a fresh way to experience the classic 2002 title. However, it has also drawn the attention—and opposition—of Take-Two Interactive.
A Modern Take on a Classic GTA Game
Developed by the Russian modding group Revolution Team, the GTA: Vice City Next-Gen Edition brings Vice City into the GTA IV engine, upgrading visuals, physics, and gameplay while staying true to the original experience. Players can now explore Vice City with enhanced graphics, improved mechanics, and all the original cutscenes and missions.
But while fans are excited about this impressive remake, Take-Two, the parent company of Rockstar Games, is reportedly trying to shut it down.
Take-Two Takes Action
Without warning, Take-Two removed Revolution Team’s YouTube channel, erasing hundreds of hours of content, including development streams and community discussions. The team addressed the takedown in a statement:
“A huge amount of effort and time was invested into the channel, including hundreds of hours of streams dedicated to the mod’s development. Additionally, we lost connection with our international audience, which was a significant part of our community.”
The mod’s teaser trailer had gained over 100,000 views and 1,500 comments in less than a day before the takedown. Despite this setback, the developers refuse to back down.
Releasing the Mod—With a Big Change
Originally, GTA: Vice City Next-Gen Edition required players to own a legitimate copy of GTA IV to install the mod. However, in response to Take-Two’s actions, the Revolution Team decided to remove that requirement and release the game as a standalone, installation-ready package—completely free.
“In light of the current uncertainties, we had to make this change to ensure the mod’s stable performance for the widest possible audience,” the team explained.
What’s Next?
Take-Two is known for aggressively protecting Rockstar’s intellectual property, so it wouldn’t be surprising if the company takes further steps to remove the mod. However, for now, fans can download and play Vice City Next-Gen Edition—and many are eager to do so.
This release gives GTA fans a chance to experience one of Rockstar’s most beloved games with modern enhancements. But it also raises questions about game preservation, modding rights, and how major publishers handle fan-made projects.
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For now, GTA: Vice City Next-Gen Edition is out in the wild. If you’ve been craving a return to Vice City, now might be the perfect time to dive in.