Basically, I got scammed out of $20. Due to the game somehow needing "Games For Windows Live" (Which is defunct), and no patches working due to C*'s anti-cheat software, it simply doesn't work. I'll hopefully get a refund, but I may not due to the fact that I modified the game files to try to fix it... Please excuse me while I slam my head against a concrete wall.
gfwl works for me I use it to play flatout uc https://support.xbox.com/en-CA/games/game-setup/games-for-windows-live-info official Xbox site click the linked "here" to install
Steam forces you to play the latest version unless an old version is offered, which Rockstar never does. GTA IV on 1.0.8.0 is practically unmoddable and requires downgrading to bring back full modding ability (and to get rid of GFWL), but then it gets very unstable. It's the same story with GTA SA.
Despite GFWL being horrible, the game can be played without problems. Request a refund if you cannot play?
When I played GTA IV a few years ago, I used something called xliveless to remove GFWL, worked brilliantly. Not sure if it still works now though and it does disable online features.
You don't have to get GFWL, Steam should install it. And when you are in-game, it should ask you only to login. (at least last time I tried, maybe things got worse) http://steamcommunity.com/app/12210/discussions/0/627456486385194248/ And check this in general: http://steamcommunity.com/app/12210/discussions/
So, I guess I need to make a microsoft account. BTW, the version of GFWL that comes with the game is outdated, thus the game crashes upon clicking the play button.
odd I am in the us and I am pretty sure that is where I got it from, what happened when you clicked "here"?
Try Xliveless and run GTA 4 from "LaunchGtaIV" with administrator privileges. Another thing to note, if you have a Skylake CPU, then check to see if your MOBO is the latest version. Because without an update, Securom won't work.
One thing i find odd is that although the game got an update earlyer this year or so they didnt remove GFWL or is that to deep in the game that you cant run without it?
What NodeMaster said. Xliveless is a good work-around for that. http://gtaforums.com/topic/388658-relgtaiv-xliveless/ It may make online not available. From the topics I'm reading on their forum, GFWL is dead or something like that :\
What I did when I got the game, was get a refund, then realise it doesn't actually get deleted off of your harddrive, download a patch that removes GFWL from it, and then play it for free.
I got Xliveless, but when I extract it into my folder and follow the instructions, it still boots up with the social club and crashes
Umh, apparently they updated the game last year (1.0.8.0) and xliveless is no more compatible. There is not much about it.