Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar Games, has swiftly removed a fan-made browser-based version of the classic Grand Theft Auto: Vice City from online platform DOS Zone following a DMCA takedown notice. The move, which was executed through brand protection firm Ebrand, highlights the publisher’s zero-tolerance policy for unauthorised projects, even those requiring ownership of original game copies.
The project, which allowed users to play the 2002 open-world hit directly in modern web browsers, was live for only a brief period before being completely erased, including all references, demos, and features. Fans expressed disappointment online, viewing it as a lost opportunity for accessible preservation of gaming history.
Details of the takedown
DOS Zone, a site specialising in browser-emulated classic PC games, hosted the WebAssembly-based port of GTA: Vice City. To activate full gameplay, users needed to input data and keys extracted from their legitimate original game copies—a measure intended to comply with copyright norms by verifying ownership.
Despite clear disclaimers stating no affiliation with Take-Two or Rockstar, the company argued the setup was misleading and facilitated infringement. The DMCA notice specifically cited unauthorised use of copyrighted content, potential circumvention of technological protection measures, and violation of exclusive distribution rights. DOS Zone promptly complied, scrubbing the site to avoid further legal action.
Similar reverse-engineered versions linger on GitHub, but experts predict they could face the same fate, as Microsoft typically honors DMCA requests on its platform. The original Vice City, released in 2002 for PlayStation 2 and later ported widely, remains commercially available on PC, consoles, mobile, and Nintendo Switch, thus reducing arguments for fan preservation efforts.
Implications for fans and GTA 6
Take-Two’s action aligns with its history of rigorous IP defense, comparable to Nintendo’s crackdowns on emulators and mods. Under US copyright law, “work-for-hire” video games like Vice City are protected for 95 years from publication or 120 years from creation—meaning public domain status won’t arrive until 2097.
The publisher views such projects as blurring the line between archival preservation and unauthorised distribution, especially since official versions are actively sold. This enforcement comes as anticipation builds for GTA VI (GTA 6), slated for November 2026 after delays, with Take-Two prioritising its blockbuster franchise.
Fan reactions on platforms like X (formerly Twitter) and Reddit lament the loss of a “fun while it lasted” novelty, with calls for official browser or cloud streaming options for legacy titles like GTA: The Trilogy.
