Due to issues with Games For Windows Live (remember that?) and licensing for the game’s soundtrack, GTA IV has been unavailable for purchase on Steam since early January of this year.
If you go over to the Steam page for the game now, however, it mentions that the standard edition of GTA IV will be replaced by the Complete Edition from March 19th — with some pretty interesting caveats.
Games For Windows Live will no longer be available with the update (a sad loss indeed), but GTA IV: Complete Edition will unfortunately not have multiplayer, leaderboards, or select radio stations for the foreseeable future. Somebody needs to reevaluate their understanding of “complete” over at Rockstar.
Here’s what the page says:
We are making a number of changes to make sure players who own Grand Theft Auto IV and GTA: Episodes from Liberty City can continue to enjoy these games.
New Players
Starting 03/19/2020, Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition will replace both Grand Theft Auto IV and Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City wherever it is currently digitally available. Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition will as also be available via the Rockstar Games Launcher.
Though players will be able to use their old save files with the upcoming version of the game, they won’t be able to access RamJam FM, Self-Actualization FM, and Vice City FM, even though the Complete Edition includes Episodes from Liberty City from which these radio stations are derived.
If you bought the game physically, you will need to use the key on the back of the GTA IV manual to be able to update to GTA IV. Players who own GTA IV will need to install a 6GB update to get the newer version, while those who have Episodes from Liberty City will need a 22GB install.
Though players effectively getting GTA IV’s additional content for free is a nice bonus, the loss of multiplayer is pretty significant. GTA IV’s multiplayer is not perfect and lacks the scope of GTA Online, but it’s a straightforward experience for some murdering in Liberty City. Plus, it has no microtransactions.
GTA IV was the first GTA game for the PS3 and Xbox 360 generation and follows Niko Bellic as he emigrates to Liberty City to make a life for himself, one dead body at a time. Also one bowling ball at a time.
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