GTA IV Is Back on Steam, Major Features Removed

Back and Better Than Never

A little over a month ago, Grand Theft Auto IV mysteriously disappeared from Steam. Soon after its disappearance, it was revealed that since the Games for Windows Live service had been terminated, Rockstar could not generate any new codes for purchase. More than a month later, GTA IV is back on Steam. This came with an announcement that Grand Theft Auto IV and Episodes from Liberty City would now be replaced by Grand Theft Auto: Complete Edition, which is not the title I would use because it is actually missing some features. Just a few though: Games for Windows Live, Multiplayer, and Leaderboards. Wait. Multiplayer?!

GTA IV

That’s right. One of the best features of Grand Theft Auto IV has been removed. Of course, not because Rockstar wanted to, but probably because they had to as a result of Games for Windows Live no longer available. Still, it’s a pretty major thing to be missing. It may not be GTA Online or Red Dead Online, but for a twelve year old game, it still has a sizable online community. This means no races, no fun deathmatches, and no bowling. Well, you can still go bowling with your favourite cousin in the single player.

Players who already have a copy of GTA IV will need to update their game to the (in)Complete Edition. Depending on if you bought it through Steam or Games with Windows Live or have a physical copy, the process of updating it will be a bit different. If you need to update your game, you can follow the steps outlined in the announcement on Steam. Grand Theft Auto IV is available on Xbox 360, PS3, and PC, but it will never be the same again.

When was the last time you played Grand Theft Auto IV multiplayer? Let us know in the comments below.

Source: Steam