There are many reports that Grand Theft Auto IV can no longer be purchased on Steam, and of the game no longer launching.
Users quickly raised their concerns, and sure enough the Steam page for the game shows that it can no longer be purchased. This is seemingly due to Microsoft no longer supporting their Games for Windows LIVE accounts. The service was last updated in 2014, and was functionally replaced by the Windows store.
As noted on the game’s Steam page:
PLEASE NOTE: Microsoft no longer supports creating Games for Windows-LIVE accounts within Grand Theft Auto IV. You can create an account through account.xbox.com and then log into your account in game.
Rockstar issued a statement, explaining how additional keys can no longer be generated due to the game’s integration with Games for Windows LIVE:
“Grand Theft Auto IV 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 GTAIV for PC and will share more information as soon as we can.”
In addition, many users on Steam have complained their copies of the game are no longer working. One user’s post on the Steam Community for the game was pinned, with what seemed to be a solution.
While it does link to an official Xbox website (seemingly to download the original LIVE client), it redirects to an FAQ for “How to buy and install Xbox games on Windows 10.” The post hosts much discussion about what does and does not work, with conflicting claims.
