Question about GTA IV PC unlimited installations

[TommyNikoTrevor]

So when GTA IV first came out on PC they said you could do unlimited installations on an unlimited number of computers from a single copy.

 

I own a retail PC DVD of GTA IV & EFLC the Complete Edition. I've only done one installation with it.

 

I heard that the game was recently relaunched on Steam as well as R* Launcher and that you can claim the digital download using the physical copy's CD Key.

 

So my questions are:

1. Are the unlimited installations offered by the disc version truly freely unlimited or does it get linked with an account upon first activation (I don't remember the activation process) and subsequent installations require login to the same account?
2. Depending on the answer to the first, can my CD key be used to activate digitally on only one Steam/RGSC account or can it be used on multiple accounts?
3. Just realized that I've actually got 2 CD keys, one is for GTA IV and the other for EFLC. Could these now be used to activate two separate digital copies?

 

What I'm really trying to find out is that if I want to share the game with a friend, using my CD key, can he install it independently or does he require my account?

[Agret]

On 7/12/2020 at 1:51 AM, TommyNikoTrevor said:

• Are the unlimited installations offered by the disc version truly freely unlimited or does it get linked with an account upon first activation (I don't remember the activation process) and subsequent installations require login to the same account?
•  

On the disc version it uses GFWL and it uses the first generation of CD Key where it is not tied to any account, if you install the disc version and install the old patch for it then you can play online with this with other GFWL user and you can both use the same CD key.
There is a limited number of GFWL cd key activations and I think it was something like 30 unique machines per key. Funny enough that key is a generic GFWL key and works for any of the first generation GFWL games.

These CD keys are interchangeable: 

Bioshock 2, Batman Arkham Asylum, Dawn of War II, Fallout 3, FUEL,   

Gears of War, GTA IV, GTA IV Episodes from Liberty City, Halo 2 Vista,   

Resident Evil 5, Street Fighter IV & Blazblue Calamity Trigger

I have used my GTA IV key to play all of these online in the past. There might be some other early GFWL games it works on too.

 

 

On 7/12/2020 at 1:51 AM, TommyNikoTrevor said:

• Depending on the answer to the first, can my CD key be used to activate digitally on only one Steam/RGSC account or can it be used on multiple accounts?
•  

Only one, once it's activated on an account it's tied to that account forever.

 

On 7/12/2020 at 1:51 AM, TommyNikoTrevor said:

1. Just realized that I've actually got 2 CD keys, one is for GTA IV and the other for EFLC. Could these now be used to activate two separate digital copies?

 

Yes, they both grant the GTA IV Complete now so you can give a code to your friend.

Edited July 13, 2020 by Agret

[TommyNikoTrevor]

On 7/13/2020 at 7:33 PM, Agret said:

On the disc version it uses GFWL and it uses the first generation of CD Key where it is not tied to any account, if you install the disc version and install the old patch for it then you can play online with this with other GFWL user and you can both use the same CD key.
There is a limited number of GFWL cd key activations and I think it was something like 30 unique machines per key. Funny enough that key is a generic GFWL key and works for any of the first generation GFWL games.

These CD keys are interchangeable: 

Bioshock 2, Batman Arkham Asylum, Dawn of War II, Fallout 3, FUEL,   

Gears of War, GTA IV, GTA IV Episodes from Liberty City, Halo 2 Vista,   

Resident Evil 5, Street Fighter IV & Blazblue Calamity Trigger

I have used my GTA IV key to play all of these online in the past. There might be some other early GFWL games it works on too.

 

 

Only one, once it's activated on an account it's tied to that account forever.

 

Yes, they both grant the GTA IV Complete now so you can give a code to your friend.

Thanks. This is exactly as I suspected. 

 

The GFWL key thing is interesting. Do you think it's still possible to play those games with the GTA IV key?

[B Dawg]

Here's the full list of 1st gen/Legacy GFWL games:

https://www.thetechgame.com/Archives/t=2854159/free-gfwl-key-works-for-multiple-games.html

But yeah, you can use your GTA IV key on other games and vice versa. I used my GTA IV key on Flatout: Ultimate Carnage, and gave my Kane & Lynch: Dead Men key for others to use on GTA IV.