"GTA Vice City Nextgen Edition Released by Defiant Modders Amid Take-Two's Takedown"

A Russian modding group, known as the Revolution Team, has released its ambitious 'GTA Vice City Nextgen Edition' despite facing YouTube takedowns from Take-Two, the parent company of Rockstar Games. This mod impressively ports the world, cutscenes, and missions of the 2002 classic, Vice City, into the engine of 2008's GTA 4.

The modders expressed their frustration in a video description, revealing that Take-Two had abruptly "deleted" their YouTube channel without prior warning or any attempt at communication. The group had invested countless hours into building their community, with a teaser trailer for the mod garnering over 100,000 views and 1,500 comments in less than a day. The sudden removal of the channel, they stated, was a "cruel move" and left them disconnected from their international audience.

Despite the emotional toll and the envisioned cozy stream launch that never happened, the Revolution Team stayed true to their word and released the mod on the promised date. However, they remain uncertain about how long it will stay publicly available due to potential further actions by Take-Two. While they do not openly encourage reuploads, they understand if others choose to do so.

Initially, the mod was intended to require a legitimate copy of GTA 4 to play as a sign of respect to the publisher. However, given the current uncertainties, it was released as a standalone, installation-ready package to ensure stable performance for a broader audience.

The Revolution Team made it clear that their mod is a non-commercial, fan-driven project, expressing gratitude to the original game's developers while lamenting Take-Two's stance against modding initiatives. They hope their project might set a precedent for the modding community.

Take-Two's history of issuing takedowns for mods related to Rockstar games is well-documented, including AI-powered mods for GTA 5 and VR mods for Red Dead Redemption 2. Interestingly, the company has occasionally hired modders to join Rockstar Games, and some mods, like the Vice City mod, have been followed by official remasters announced by Rockstar.

Former Rockstar technical director Obbe Vermeij defended Take-Two and Rockstar's actions, stating that they are protecting their business interests. He pointed out that the VC NextGen Edition mod could compete with the Definitive Edition, and the Liberty City preservation project might impact a potential GTA 4 remaster.

The key question now is whether Take-Two will seek to take down the mod itself.