Update: Rockstar has issued a statement to GameSpot, noting that Games for Windows Live support is the main issue. “Grand Theft Auto 4 was originally created for the Games For Windows Live platform. With Microsoft no longer supporting Games For Windows Live, it is no longer possible to generate the additional keys needed to continue selling the current version of the game.
“We are looking at other options for distributing GTA 4 for PC and will share more information as soon as we can.”
Original Story:
Over the weekend, something rather strange happened to Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto 4 on Steam. The open world title can no longer be purchased even though the listing is still available. Those who own the game can still download and play it normally but it’s no longer possible for new players to pick it up.
There are several possibilities for the game’s removal, the most likely being that Grand Theft Auto 4 will become exclusive to the Rockstar Games Launcher. Of course, it’s also possible that support for the launcher is being patched in for new customers. This mirrors the situation with Red Dead Redemption 2 on Steam as it requires the launcher when first starting the game.
None of this is confirmed, mind you, so we’ll have to wait for an official announcement from Rockstar Games. Stay tuned for more details in the meantime/ You can also check out the superior Grand Theft Auto 5 which is still available for PC via Steam.