The gaming community has once again found itself at odds with Rockstar Games and its parent company, Take-Two Interactive, after the studio moved to shut down Vice City: NextGen Edition, a fan-made remake of Grand Theft Auto: Vice City using the GTA IV engine.
This ambitious project, created by the Revolution Team, sought to modernize the beloved 2002 classic while maintaining its original aesthetic and atmosphere. However, just days before the mod’s release, Take-Two took down the team’s YouTube channel, effectively silencing the creators and cutting off communication with their audience.
Despite the setback, the Revolution Team decided to push forward, releasing the project as a free standalone download. Since the modders are based in Russia, legal action against them appears to be complicated, allowing the NextGen Edition to remain accessible—for now.
This incident follows Take-Two’s takedown of The Liberty City Preservation Project, a similar fan effort that aimed to port GTA IV into GTA V. Many players speculate that the aggressive stance against these projects stems from Rockstar’s potential plans for official remasters, but the company has yet to make any official announcements.
Rockstar Games has shut down the Liberty City Preservation Project mod for GTA 5 pic.twitter.com/8ic8xIdswK
— Pirat_Nation đź”´ (@Pirat_Nation) January 16, 2025
A stunning remake that rivals official releases
What makes Vice City: NextGen Edition so controversial is the sheer quality of the work put into it. The mod features the full story mode of Vice City, along with side missions, hidden collectibles, and even restored radio tracks that were removed from more recent official releases.
Additionally, elements from other GTA titles, such as neon lighting from Vice City Stories and period-appropriate vehicles from San Andreas, have been seamlessly incorporated. The mod’s biggest change is its adoption of GTA IV’s physics-driven gameplay, resulting in improved shooting mechanics, more realistic combat, and heavier vehicle handling. However, opinions on these adjustments remain divided.
While some players appreciate the more refined mechanics, others feel that GTA IV’s sluggish driving physics don’t suit Vice City’s fast-paced world. Regardless, the NextGen Edition represents a monumental labor of love from the fan community—one that some argue should have been an official release rather than a mod.
Rockstar’s history of clamping down on mods
The removal of NextGen Edition’s YouTube channel has reignited criticism of Rockstar’s stance on fan-made projects. Former Rockstar developer Obbe Vermeij defended the company’s position, arguing that corporations will always act in their business interests. However, many fans remain frustrated that Rockstar continues to shut down high-quality fan projects while failing to deliver proper remakes of its own.
The disappointment is especially pronounced given the lackluster reception of GTA: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, which was widely criticized for its numerous bugs, outdated visuals, and missing features. Players argue that fan mods like NextGen Edition are providing the kinds of updates they actually want, while Rockstar seems uninterested in properly modernizing its older titles.
GTA Vice City Nextgen Edition (aka VC in IV engine) is seemingly dead, entire YT channel nuked by Rockstar days from release.
Not surprising, they broke the golden rules (don't generate massive buzz before you release, and don't take any money)
Still a shame pic.twitter.com/1eVt0kWlFS
— English Ben (@NotEnglishBen) January 23, 2025
Despite this, Take-Two’s legal team remains aggressive in removing anything that could compete with potential official releases. Since Vice City: NextGen Edition uses Rockstar-owned assets and licensed music, it exists in a legal gray area. The mod is still available for now, but its long-term survival is uncertain.
With GTA VI set to return players to a modernized Vice City later this year, the chances of Rockstar supporting unofficial remakes of the classic game are slim. While fans continue to push boundaries with ambitious mods, the ongoing crackdown highlights a growing divide between corporate interests and the passionate gaming community.
Whether Rockstar will change its approach remains to be seen, but for now, projects like NextGen Edition remain at constant risk of disappearing forever.
