The Social Club platform was launched in 2008, and Grand Theft Auto 4 was the first game to be integrated with the online service. While most GTA 4 players are unaware of the changes, the gaming studio is said to have updated security patches for the Rockstar Games Launcher and Social Club application.

The 150 MB update changed the build ID of the title and fixed some security-related issues. It was one of the first updates the game received after being dormant for many years. Anyone with a physical copy not yet activated will also receive the Complete Edition when they enter their product key.On February 9, 2023, Rockstar Games released a new update for Grand Theft Auto 4 on PC. Players who have previously purchased either title on Steam will be able to update to the Complete Edition when it goes live. Rockstar will also be temporarily removing several of the in-game radio stations. However, the removal of all Games For Windows Live components means the title will no longer have a multiplayer mode or leaderboards. It will still be compatible with previous save files. The Complete Edition will also replace both titles on other digital marketplaces and be available on the Rockstar Games Launcher. In an update on the game's Steam page, Rockstar has announced the game will be re-released on March 19 as Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition, replacing both the base game and the Episodes from Liberty City expansion.

This was attributed to the fact GTA IV was built for Games For Windows Live, which Microsoft no longer supports. The game was removed from the store after the developer lost the ability to generate new product keys.

Rockstar Games is bringing Grand Theft Auto IV back to Steam, having pulled it form sale last month.

Launcher gta 4