Grand Theft Auto IV has suddenly been delisted from Steam.
With no fanfare or warning, the game is no longer available for purchase on the platform, as well as a digital download missing from Rockstar's website as well. Players who purchased GTA IV already on Steam can still re-download it and play it, but for everyone else, the game is no longer available.
Released in 2008, Grand Theft Auto IV stars Niko Bellic, an Eastern-European immigrant who seeks revenge while simultaneously pursuing the American Dream. Though the themes and gameplay are fairly similar to the true-crime style of other GTA games, GTA IV was criticized for having weak pacing, most notably due to odd mechanics the overly serious story juxtaposed to overt satire.
Rockstar Games has made no official statement as to why the game was delisted. GTA IV is still available for the Xbox One, PS3 and Xbox 360.
Quick Take
There are a ton of reasons why the game might have been removed from Steam. Personally, my guess is that Rockstar is looking to do a remastered version, though that may be unlikely considering the continued support and success for Grand Theft Auto V's multiplayer. It could also be another licensing issue; such as when GTA IV was forced to patch out some of the game's music in 2018. Though if it was to remove something from the game, a patch for the digital version would likely fix that.
The only way we will find out why GTA IV was delisted is if Rockstar makes an official statement as to why. Hopefully, it is only temporary, and that the game is getting a remaster of some kind. Personally, I always enjoyed GTA IV, despite the numerous shortcomings it did have.
What are your thoughts though? Leave your comments below.
