A Russian modding group known as Revolution Team has launched its ambitious 'GTA Vice City Nextgen Edition' despite facing YouTube takedowns from Take-Two, the parent company of Rockstar Games. This mod ingeniously transplants the world, cutscenes, and missions of the 2002 classic, Vice City, into the engine of 2008's GTA 4.
In their video description, the modders expressed frustration over Take-Two's sudden deletion of their YouTube channel, which they claimed was done "without any warning or attempt to contact us." They highlighted the significant effort invested into the channel, including hundreds of hours of streams showcasing the mod's development. The sudden loss of their platform also severed their connection with a global audience; a teaser trailer for the mod had garnered over 100,000 views and 1,500 comments in just a day before the channel was removed irrecoverably.
The team described the takedown as a "cruel move," yet they accepted the situation and refrained from further commentary to avoid risking the mod's release. The past two days were emotionally challenging for the team, who had hoped for a celebratory launch stream. Despite these setbacks, they managed to release the mod on the promised date, though they remain uncertain about how long it will stay publicly available or if further takedowns will be demanded. While they do not oppose reuploads, they cannot openly encourage them.
Originally, the mod required a legitimate copy of GTA 4 out of respect for the publisher, but due to current uncertainties, it was released as a standalone, installation-ready package to ensure stable performance for a broader audience.
Take-Two's history of stringent actions against mods, including this one, suggests they may view the Revolution Team's actions unfavorably. The company has a track record of takedowns, such as those targeting AI-powered mods for GTA 5 and VR mods for Red Dead Redemption 2. However, the Revolution Team remains defiant, emphasizing that their project is "absolutely free without any commercial benefit," created by fans for fans. They hope their mod will set a precedent for the modding community and lament Take-Two's blocking of initiatives that sustain interest in iconic games.
Interestingly, Take-Two has a history of hiring modders it once opposed, and some mods, like this Vice City mod, were taken down only for Rockstar to later announce remasters of those games. A former Rockstar developer, Obbe Vermeij, defended Take-Two's actions, stating that they are protecting their business interests. He pointed out that the 'VC NextGen Edition' competes with the Definitive Edition, and the Liberty City preservation project could interfere with a potential GTA 4 remaster.
The question now is whether Take-Two will attempt to take down the mod itself.
