Why did Rockstar choose to have copy protection?
Creating video game entertainment is our passion and we invest a considerable amount of time and effort to release each title, and employ a large number of people in the process. Having copy protection allows us to protect the integrity or our titles and future investments, but at the same time we have worked very hard to ensure that our solutions do not persecute the legitimate players of our games. Implemented correctly, SecuROM is the most effective form of disc based copy protection and allows us to manage authenticity on a global level for Grand Theft Auto IV.

What do I need to do to start playing GTA IV on my PC?

A copy of the game (retail disc or digital distribution) and a computer that meets the minimum system specifications is required. An internet connection, assorted software installations, and certain service registrations are required for activation and use of all the software features. The minimum system specifications, recommended system specifications, required software installations and other requirements are listed at the end of this document.

You will need an active internet connection to activate the software and the retail disk is required to be in the computer drive in order to play.

In order to upload videos to our internet site and play online multi-player modes, you will also need an active internet connection and accounts with both Rockstar Games Social Club and Games for Window-LIVE.

GTA IV PC also requires a number of software installations, including Games For Windows, Adobe Flash, Internet Explorer, SecuROM and our Rockstar Games Social Club application.

Do I need to activate this game online?

Yes, but to be clear, if you install the game on a computer that isn't connected to the internet, you can perform certain steps to activate your game on another PC with an active internet connection. Once the game is distributed, information on this method will be available on a GTA IV support page.

I don't have any internet connection. I only intend to play offline in single player. Do I still need to authenticate online somehow? Or is there another way I can get my purchase running…

We have provided a means whereby users that do not have an active internet connection at home can go to another computer that does have one, and access a support site that will help you through the authentication process.

I'm in the service, and I want to play this game on my laptop while overseas, will I ever run into any trouble playing if I'm away from a connection for months at a time?

An active internet connection is required to play multi-player games and upload user-created videos, but the offline single-player mode is always available – even if you aren't connected to the internet.

To save offline gameplay and Achievement point progress related to a particular GFWL Gamertag, you must have logged in with that Gamertag at least once and saved your progress with it. Achievement points are not tracked in 'offline' accounts in GFWL games. Single-player game progress is always tracked and saved.

Does GTA IV include any version of SecuROM? If so, what kind? Is it like a rootkit?

GTA IV PC uses SecuROM for protecting our EXE until street date has passed, to ensure the retail disk is in the computer drive, and is used for Product Activation of the title. Product Activation is a one time only online authentication when installing the game. GTA IV has no install limits for the retail disc version of the game, and that version can be installed on an unlimited number of PCs by the retail disk owner.

How many times will I need to authenticate my retail disk? I've purchased the game… why do I need to constantly remind your company that I'm not a dirty pirate?

You will only need to authenticate the retail disk once per Windows account per machine. Even if you uninstall and re-install the game, it will not have to be re-authenticated.

There are some unique circumstances under which you may have to re-authenticate the software on a machine. For example, if you change any two 'major' components on your PC, i.e. CPU and video card, you will have to re-authenticate the title.

Also, if you install on a different PC or under a different Windows account on the same machine, you will have to authenticate that installation as well, but this is standard to any software needing a serial.