Grand Theft Auto IV vanished from the radar like a fugitive at a Pay ‘n’ Spray over the weekend. The 2008 game got pulled from online storefronts all around, and no one seemed to know why. That is, until recently, when Rockstar issued a statement. And apparently, the reason GTA IV disappeared was due to Games For Windows Live.
To be fair, there is a more technical reason at work. Quite simply, there are no more keys required to sell the game online. Speaking to Polygon, Rockstar clarified the issue, while mentioning that it’s currently looking for new ways to get Niko Bellic back on the street.
“Grand Theft Auto was originally created for the Games For Windows Live platform,” Rockstar told Polygon. “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.”
GTA IV was pulled from online storefronts due to a lack of game keys.
Can’t go bowling, yet
Video games getting pulled from storefronts isn’t a new issue. Generally, licensing agreements with music can cause a game to get dropped from online stores. Having them come back is rare, but it does happen form time to time.
In fact, back in November we witnessed the return of Detective Tequila in Stranglehold, which was a Games For Windows title (not Games for Windows Live, mind). Stranglehold made its way back from the bin of obscurity and onto the GOG marketplace. It’s likely that GTA IV, which is a much more celebrated game, will also bounce back at some point in the near future. So, don’t worry, cousin! You should be bowling again in no time.
