Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems2Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute3Clear out junk files and repair common Windows errorsGTA IV is not newly returning to Steam in 2026. Rockstar announced in February 2020 that the Complete Edition would replace GTA IV and Episodes from Liberty City on digital storefronts starting March 19, 2020; Steam lists March 24, 2020 as the Complete Edition’s release date. Existing eligible owners were told to update their copies, with the process depending on which game they already owned.
What GTA IV: Complete Edition includes
The Complete Edition bundles Grand Theft Auto IV with both story expansions: The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony. Rockstar said existing save files would remain compatible. Steam’s listing and the Rockstar Store describe the package.
| # | Preview | Product | Price | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |
|
Grand Theft Auto V - PC | $36.99 | Buy on Amazon |
| 2 |
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Grand Theft Auto IV | $29.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 3 |
|
Grand Theft Auto 5 PS4 - PlayStation 4 ( GTA V Ps4) | $26.95 | Buy on Amazon |
| 4 |
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Grand Theft Auto IV: Complete Edition (PC DVD) | $51.50 | Buy on Amazon |
| 5 |
|
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas V2.0 - PC | $29.95 | Buy on Amazon |
How the 2020 upgrade worked for previous owners
Rockstar’s February 19, 2020 announcement set out different update paths for owners of the two Steam products. Its instructions describe that transition, not a new offer in 2026.
If you owned GTA IV on Steam
Rockstar said owners would download the Episodes content and update their game. The expected download was about 6GB. Rockstar Support’s installation article, last updated May 1, 2024, continues to describe this GTA IV owner update path and approximate download size: How to install Grand Theft Auto IV: The Complete Edition on Steam.
#1 Best Overall
- Will take full advantage of the power of new generation systems and PC to deliver across-the-board enhancements including increased resolution and graphical detail, denser traffic, greater draw distances, upgraded AI, new wildlife, and advanced weather and damage effects for the ultimate open world experience.
- The biggest, most dynamic and most diverse open world ever created and now packed with layers of new detail.
- Grand Theft Auto V blends storytelling and gameplay in new ways as players repeatedly jump in and out of the lives of the game’s three lead characters, playing all sides of the game’s interwoven story.
- Includes Grand Theft Auto Online, the ever-evolving Grand Theft Auto universe.
- All new content and gameplay created and released since the launch of Grand Theft Auto Online including new Jobs, an arsenal of new weapons, scores of new vehicles, new properties and player customizations
If you owned Episodes from Liberty City on Steam
Rockstar said Episodes from Liberty City would be removed from the library and replaced by the Complete Edition, with an expected update of about 22GB.
If you had a physical or legacy Games for Windows Live copy
Rockstar’s 2020 announcement gave conditional instructions for non-Steam copies. A physical copy that had not previously been activated through Games for Windows Live could use the key printed in its manual to activate and update. For a legacy digital Games for Windows Live purchase, Rockstar said users needed to create and/or link a Social Club account. The announcement also required an internet connection to authenticate the copy. These instructions do not guarantee that every used disc or key can be activated now; a used copy may lack a usable key or may not qualify for the stated route.
Rank #2
- Carry on the Grand Theft Auto tradition playing through the single player campaign as Niko Bellic
- Get cars and other modes of transportation anyway you can
- Interact with various colorful characters who give you various missions to engage in
- Engage in multiplayer challenges ranging from cover matches to shoot-outs
- Carry on the Grand Theft Auto tradition playing through the single player campaign as Niko Bellic
What changed, and what the announcement did not promise
Rockstar said the transition removed Games for Windows Live, multiplayer mode, and leaderboards. The announcement also said RamJam FM, Self-Actualization FM, and Vice City FM would be temporarily unavailable. “Temporarily” described the status at announcement time; that notice alone does not establish whether those stations are available now.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Current PC requirements and account details
Store requirements and account rules can change, so check the live product pages before installing or buying. At the time reflected by their current listings, Steam specifies Windows 10 (64-bit), 22GB of disk space, and a Rockstar Games third-party account requirement. The Rockstar Store lists Windows 10, 2GB of memory, and 22GB of free space, and says an internet connection is required for initial activation. See the current Steam listing and Rockstar Store page.
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Best Value
- Drive through the largest GTA environment ever -- The game has three cities players can explore, for a gaming area 5 times larger than Vice City
- Recruit new characters into a street gang and take over by leading drive-by shootings against rivals
- Steal all-new vehicles, including bicycles
- Improved fighting elements -- smoother hand-to-hand combat, plus the ability to hold a weapon in each hand
- New graphics elements as cars get dirty and even rust, the longer you drive them
Rank #4
- The original Grand Theft Auto IV 4 game
- The Lost and Damned
- The Balled of Gay Tony
Rank #3
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
