Episodes From Liberty City - Steam?

It's coming out tomorrow yet there's nothing shown on any digital outlet. What's the deal?

I wouldn't expect EFLC to hit steam any time soon. The add ons are coming in two forms, the retail disc version which is a stand alone version and doesn't need GTA 4 and in the form of two DLC episodes which are downloadable from GFWL. So the attitude of Rockstar is "if you want to download the addons then do it from GFWL", there is no need in their view to make EFLC "downloadable".

Now I would bet a pretty penny Microsoft had a hand in this, they cannot compete with Steam so you can bet your life they made sure Rockstar froze steam out of the add ons. In short if you want to play the add ons you will have to buy the retail disc or download it from GFWL, it may come to steam at a later date but I wouldn't hold my breath.

I doubt they'll release it on Steam, for one reason, these are DLCs, even if here's a standalone retail version available.

You have two options you either get the retail version and the standalone game or the expansion that isn't standalone, the DLCs from LIVE. It's just like the DLCs for Fallout 3, but they didn't have a standalone retail version.

It probably won't be released on Steam anytime soon since Microsoft would probably prefer to sell it as an exclusive for its GFWL marketplace.

Is it even on the GFWL marketplace? That's the problem with MS exclusives they are so exclusive nobody can buy them. I think it may come in a few weeks, if not days when the game is released internationally - then again you really don't know what MS is going to do.nutcrackr

It isn't on GFWL marketplace yet because it hasn't been released, it isn't due out till 13th for the US and 16th for Europe/ROW. I imagine it will appear on the US GFWL marketplace at some point later today (when it becomes the 13th April in America).

Whats the point of releasing it on Steam when they can update it via GFWL?

There are one or two differences between the DLC you can download and the EFLC retail disc, for example the EFLC has an extra radio station the DLC does not have. It is possible some people would rather have the retail version but still download it like they do other PC games. I wasn't intending to buy EFLC myself but had I wanted to get this I would have preferred the EFLC version over the DLC version and I would have wanted to get it from steam.

I personally think this is going to harm Rockstar big time by cutting out the number one digital distribution service on the PC but that's up to them I guess.

You can't even buy GeoW from GFWL site. Thats how pathetic it is.

Well what you know, I think they heard us :P it looks like EFLC will be available via steam for those that want it. I have to admit I am surprised at this, I would have thought that Microsoft would want to prevent steam grabbing most of the download sales. I mean you have to be a very "special" person to choose GFWL over steam.

ROFL well this is a new one on me, it seems Microsoft isn't as willing to let go as we first thought, this was posted by a Rockstar Rep at GTAforums :-

You'll be able to purchase the episodes from other online distributors if desired; they will provide you with a redemption token that you enter into GFWL which will then allow you to download the episode.

http://www.gtaforums.com/index.php?s=98c0c2e54f80c4c8f85e1ddac979da75&showtopic=445395&st=40&#entry1059871088

So it sounds like if you buy the game from steam you won't actually download it from steam, you will just be given a token that you enter into GFWL to get the DLC. Just a heads up for those thinking of using steam to get the DLC.