Grand Theft Auto IV and Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City updates to remove Games for Windows Live
Last Updated: April 27, 2024
Question: What is the impact of Microsoft ending support for Games for Windows Live on Grand Theft Auto IV and Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City?
Answer: We are making a number of changes to make sure players who own Grand Theft Auto IV and Grand Theft Auto: 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 also be available via the Rockstar Games Launcher.
Current game save files will be compatible with Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition.
Steam Achievements for Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition will be unavailable until release. See the Release Schedule below.
As a result of this update the following services will no longer be available in Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition
Games for Windows Live
Multiplayer mode
Leaderboards
Note: Because Japanese is a supported language for Grand Theft Auto IV, but is not supported for Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City, players will continue to be able to play Grand Theft Auto IV with Japanese sub-titles but will need to select another language in order to play Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City.
Release Schedule
March 19, 2020:
Players who already own Grand Theft Auto IV or Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City on Steam will be able to install Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition, authenticate and play
March 24, 2020:
Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition will be available for purchase on the Rockstar Games Launcher and Steam
Players with existing CD Keys will be able to redeem them via the Rockstar Games Launcher
(Date TBD):
Players who purchased Grand Theft Auto IV or Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City via the former Games for Windows Live digital store will be able to link their Rockstar Games account and play via the Rockstar Games Launcher
Current Players
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 through the following means:
Steam Users
Depending on the game, players on Steam will need to install or update their current game:
Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City will be removed and replaced with Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition in the launcher library.
Update file size is expected to be approximately 22GB
Grand Theft Auto IV owners will download content from Grand Theft Auto: Episodes from Liberty City and their game will update to Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition
Update file size is expected to be approximately 6GB
Physical Media
Games not previously activated using Games for Windows Live will be able to use the Key on the back of the game manual to activate and update to Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition
Games for Windows Live digital store purchases
Games purchased via the Games for Windows Live digital store will require players to create and/or link their Rockstar Games accounts in replacement of Games for Windows Live to update to Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition
Note: New activations from players trying to install current copies of Grand Theft Auto IV may be disrupted until Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition is available. All users will need to be connected to the internet and authenticate their copy of the game.