Grand Theft Auto IV was recently taken off Steam because of issues with Games for Windows Live support. However, it now seems the open-world game’s heading back to Valve’s platform.
As spotted by Nibel on Twitter, the Steam page for the fourth major title in Rockstar’s long-running GTA series now reveals it’s on its way back – but as the ‘Complete Edition’, and without some of the game’s online features. “Starting March 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”, the page reads.
Following this update, multiplayer mode, leaderboards, and GFWL support will no longer be included in the game, though. And that’s not all – the RamJam FM, Self-Actualization FM, and Vice City FM radio stations have also now been removed. Sad news if you’re a fan of the best reggae and ’80s tunes Liberty City has to offer.
The Steam page notes: “Players who have previously installed and played Grand Theft Auto IV or Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City will be able to update their copy to Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition” – and there are various ways to do this, depending on how you play.
Steam players will need to install or update their version. If you already own Episodes from Liberty City you’ll get a 22GB update file that will remove and replace your copy with the GTA IV Complete Edition. If you own the main game, you’ll “download content from Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City and [your] game will update” to the Complete Edition. This download will be around 6GB in size.
It’s not clear whether this content will be updated for free or whether you’ll need to purchase the Episodes content. We’ve reached out to Rockstar for clarification and will update the story with any new information.
Grand Theft Auto IV is coming back to Steam (and coming to RGL) as Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition
– no more GFWL
– no multiplayer
– no leaderboards
– some radio stations will be temporarily unavailble
– current save files still compatiblehttps://t.co/UxTceQprMK pic.twitter.com/Sq0Eg2yjr5— Nibel (@Nibellion) February 19, 2020
If you own a physical copy of the game but haven’t yet activated it via Windows Live, you’ll be able to update it to the Complete Edition using the key found on the back on the game manual. If you have activated it with Games for Windows Live (or have a Windows Live digital copy) you’ll need to link up your Rockstar Social Club accounts to upgrade to the Complete Edition.
If you’re keen to find out what’s in store ahead of the Complete Edition’s arrival on Valve’s platform, head over to its Steam page here. If you’re somehow yet to try its sequel, you can also grab Grand Theft Auto V half-price in the Fanatical Bundle Blast 2020 right now, too.
Can you run it? Test your PC against the GTA 4 system requirements 2021.