Rockstar Games: Difference between revisions

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{{Main|GTA 5 moves to kernel-level anti-cheat on PC after purchase}}

On 17 September 2024 (eleven years after release), Rockstar Games implemented a controversial update that included a more invasive and dangerous kernel-mode anti-cheat made by BattlEye. This update retroactively restricted GTA Online usage to the Windows operating system, despite previously being fully functional on other operating systems such as [[SteamOS]] (and other [[wikipedia:Linux_distribution|Linux distros]]). Despite the BattlEye anti-cheat being Linux-compatible with minimal effort, the company still chose to not support the operating system, thus leaving buyers without the product they paid for.

On 17 September 2024 (eleven years after release), Rockstar Games implemented a controversial update that included a more invasive and dangerous kernel-mode anti-cheat made by BattlEye. This update retroactively restricted GTA Online usage to the Windows operating system, despite previously being fully functional on other operating systems such as SteamOS (and other [[wikipedia:Linux_distribution|Linux distros]]). Despite the BattlEye anti-cheat being Linux-compatible with minimal effort, the company still chose to not support the operating system, thus leaving buyers without the product they paid for.

Due to the BattlEye anti-cheat being a requirement to run GTA V, if a customer decides not to install it they won't be able to sign in to the Rockstar Launcher even if they wish to play single player. There are workarounds for this, such as using offline mode on [[Steam]], but the game requires license activation by logging in to Rockstar Launcher at least once upon installation. About every week the license will need to be reactivated to continue playing the single player mode.{{Citation needed|date=14 Apr 2026}}

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As of 28 March 2025, Rockstar Games Launcher is now forcing customers to accept the current terms and conditions which were updated 28 February 2025. This includes an arbitration agreement that may only be opted out of through a letter delivered via official mail courier services.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |author= |title=Rockstar Legal |url=https://www.rockstargames.com/legal |website=Rockstar Games |date=28 Feb 2025 |access-date=3 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260211134609/https://www.rockstargames.com/legal |archive-date=11 Feb 2026}}</ref> This affects owners of any games through the Rockstar Games Launcher as well as Steam users who own games that require its use, completely blocking them from using the products they paid for until they agree.

=== Rockstar automatically linking games to lost accounts when purchased from Steam ===

===Rockstar automatically linking games to lost accounts when purchased from Steam===

Games purchased through steam are automatically/on launch locked to linked Rockstar ~~games~~ account ~~<ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />, users~~ who in the past had used a Rockstar ~~games~~ account and linked it to steam, but in the ~~leading~~ time between then to the new purchase had lost access to the account then ~~will come to find~~ that the game ~~has now~~ become locked ~~away~~ as the game was ~~automatically locked~~ to an account ~~they no longer can access AFTER they purchased it from steam~~.

Games purchased through steam are automatically/on launch locked to linked Rockstar Games account.{{CitationNeeded}} Users who in the past had used a Rockstar Games account and linked it to steam, but who had lost access to their Rockstar-linked emails in the time between then and the new purchase had lost access to the account then found that the game had become locked and unusable, as the game was tied to their inaccessible Rockstar Games account.

Some users are reporting success after a multitude of attempts to reach out to support in having their accounts un-linked, but ~~many more~~ are reporting back that they are not having any luck with finding a resolution. ~~<ref name=":0" />~~

Some users are reporting success after a multitude of attempts to reach out to support in having their accounts un-linked, but others are reporting back that they are not having any luck with finding a resolution.{{CitationNeeded}}

===Rockstar requiring proof of purchase for Android games===

After introducing GTA+,<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=GTA+ Join |url=https://www.rockstargames.com/gta-plus |website=Rockstar Games |date= |access-date=14 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260316195158/https://www.rockstargames.com/gta-plus/join |archive-date=16 Mar 2026}}</ref> some older mobile GTA titles were made available through the subscription.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |author= |title=Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories and Chinatown Wars Added to Games Included With GTA+ |url=https://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/89791k5o447a95/grand-theft-auto-liberty-city-stories-and-chinatown-wars-added-to-game |website=Rockstar Games |date=19 Oct 2023 |access-date=14 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019230214/https://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/89791k5o447a95/grand-theft-auto-liberty-city-stories-and-chinatown-wars-added-to-game |archive-date=19 Oct 2023}}</ref> After each (re-)installation, [[Android]] users are required to send proof of purchase from [[Google Play]] for manual approval.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=How do I restore a mobile purchase for a Rockstar Games title? |url=https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/YthtxkGTJY0uv3MgNJAJv/how-do-i-restore-a-mobile-purchase-for-a-rockstar-games-title |website=Rockstar Games |date=6 May 2024 |access-date=14 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260415001607/https://consumerrights.wiki/w/File:Rockstar_Games_support_page_for_restoring_mobile_purchase.png |archive-date=15 Apr 2026}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |author= |title=Already bought Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories Error |url=https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/pFKhWjF2elrbh0fmxUaTS/already-bought-grand-theft-auto-liberty-city-stories-error |website=Rockstar Games |date=13 Dec 2024 |access-date=14 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260415002743/https://consumerrights.wiki/w/File:Rockstar_Games_Already_bought_Grand_Theft_Auto_Liberty_City_Stories_error.png |archive-date=15 Apr 2026}}</ref>

After introducing GTA+,<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=GTA+ Join |url=https://www.rockstargames.com/gta-plus |website=Rockstar Games |date= |access-date=14 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260316195158/https://www.rockstargames.com/gta-plus/join |archive-date=16 Mar 2026}}</ref> some older mobile GTA titles were made available through the subscription.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |author= |title=Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories and Chinatown Wars Added to Games Included With GTA+ |url=https://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/89791k5o447a95/grand-theft-auto-liberty-city-stories-and-chinatown-wars-added-to-game |website=Rockstar Games |date=19 Oct 2023 |access-date=14 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019230214/https://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/89791k5o447a95/grand-theft-auto-liberty-city-stories-and-chinatown-wars-added-to-game |archive-date=19 Oct 2023}}</ref> After each (re-)installation, [[Android]] users are required to send proof of purchase from the [[Google Play Store]] for manual approval.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=How do I restore a mobile purchase for a Rockstar Games title? |url=https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/YthtxkGTJY0uv3MgNJAJv/how-do-i-restore-a-mobile-purchase-for-a-rockstar-games-title |website=Rockstar Games |date=6 May 2024 |access-date=14 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260415001607/https://consumerrights.wiki/w/File:Rockstar_Games_support_page_for_restoring_mobile_purchase.png |archive-date=15 Apr 2026}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |author= |title=Already bought Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories Error |url=https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/pFKhWjF2elrbh0fmxUaTS/already-bought-grand-theft-auto-liberty-city-stories-error |website=Rockstar Games |date=13 Dec 2024 |access-date=14 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260415002743/https://consumerrights.wiki/w/File:Rockstar_Games_Already_bought_Grand_Theft_Auto_Liberty_City_Stories_error.png |archive-date=15 Apr 2026}}</ref>

Rockstar Games GTA Liberty City Stories purchase page.png|Prompt to buy the game.

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File:Rockstar Games Already bought Grand Theft Auto Liberty City Stories error.png|Screenshot of support page for "Already bought Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories?" error.

</gallery>

===Physical version for Grand Theft Auto VI is just a download code (''2026'')===

Contrary to the initial communication from Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnik on 4 February 2026,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Corsetti |first=Adam |title=GTA 6 release date will see physical version, despite rumor of delay to curtail leaks |url=https://www.notebookcheck.net/GTA-6-release-date-will-see-physical-version-despite-rumor-of-delay-to-curtail-leaks.1219107.0.html |website=Notebook Check |date=4 Feb 2026 |access-date=26 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://megalodon.jp/2026-0627-1210-48/https://www.notebookcheck.net:443/GTA-6-release-date-will-see-physical-version-despite-rumor-of-delay-to-curtail-leaks.1219107.0.html |archive-date=27 Jun 2026}}</ref><ref name="ign">{{Cite web |last=Valentine |first=Rebekah |title=Take-Two CEO Denies Rumors That GTA 6 Will Be Digital-only at Launch |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/take-two-ceo-denies-rumors-that-gta-6-will-be-digital-only-at-launch |website=IGN |date=4 Feb 2026 |access-date=26 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/bW6wl |archive-date=27 Jun 2026}}</ref> Rockstar Games announced in late June that there would be no discs included for the ''Grand Theft Auto VI'' release. Instead, the box would only contain a code for a digital download of the game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Croft |first=Liam |title=GTA 6 Physical Edition Doesn't Come with Discs, It's a Code in the Box |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2026/06/gta-6-physical-edition-doesnt-come-with-discs-its-a-code-in-the-box |website=PushSquare |date=24 Jun 2026 |access-date=26 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260624185939/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2026/06/gta-6-physical-edition-doesnt-come-with-discs-its-a-code-in-the-box |archive-date=24 Jun 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Ji |first1=Christine |last2=Blasi |first2=Weston |title=‘GTA 6’ preorders are live — and pack an unpleasant surprise for gamers besides the $80 price tag |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/gta-6-preorders-are-live-and-pack-an-unpleasant-surprise-for-gamers-besides-the-80-price-tag-a59ea8a9 |url-access=subscription |website=MarketWatch |date=25 Jun 2026 |access-date=26 Jun 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260627035742/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/gta-6-preorders-are-live-and-pack-an-unpleasant-surprise-for-gamers-besides-the-80-price-tag-a59ea8a9 |archive-date=27 Jun 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |title=Grand Theft Auto 6 Physical Copies Won't Include a Disc, Will Just Be a Code in a Box |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/grand-theft-auto-6-physical-copies-wont-include-a-disc-will-just-be-a-code-in-a-box |website=IGN |date=25 Jun 2026 |access-date=26 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/cpwjC |archive-date=27 Jun 2026}}</ref>

This effectively bore out the online rumors which had been circulating back in February that ''GTA VI'' would be digital-only at launch.<ref name="ign" />

==Products==

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===L.A. Noire===

*L.A. Noire (2011)

===Red Dead Redemption===

*Red Dead Redemption (2010)

*Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)

==See also==

@@ Line 26: / Line 26: @@
 {{Main|GTA 5 moves to kernel-level anti-cheat on PC after purchase}}
-On 17 September 2024 (eleven years after release), Rockstar Games implemented a controversial update that included a more invasive and dangerous kernel-mode anti-cheat made by BattlEye. This update retroactively restricted GTA Online usage to the Windows operating system, despite previously being fully functional on other operating systems such as [[SteamOS]] (and other [[wikipedia:Linux_distribution|Linux distros]]). Despite the BattlEye anti-cheat being Linux-compatible with minimal effort, the company still chose to not support the operating system, thus leaving buyers without the product they paid for.
+On 17 September 2024 (eleven years after release), Rockstar Games implemented a controversial update that included a more invasive and dangerous kernel-mode anti-cheat made by BattlEye. This update retroactively restricted GTA Online usage to the Windows operating system, despite previously being fully functional on other operating systems such as SteamOS (and other [[wikipedia:Linux_distribution|Linux distros]]). Despite the BattlEye anti-cheat being Linux-compatible with minimal effort, the company still chose to not support the operating system, thus leaving buyers without the product they paid for.
 Due to the BattlEye anti-cheat being a requirement to run GTA V, if a customer decides not to install it they won't be able to sign in to the Rockstar Launcher even if they wish to play single player. There are workarounds for this, such as using offline mode on [[Steam]], but the game requires license activation by logging in to Rockstar Launcher at least once upon installation. About every week the license will need to be reactivated to continue playing the single player mode.{{Citation needed|date=14 Apr 2026}}
@@ Line 36: / Line 36: @@
 As of 28 March 2025, Rockstar Games Launcher is now forcing customers to accept the current terms and conditions which were updated 28 February 2025. This includes an arbitration agreement that may only be opted out of through a letter delivered via official mail courier services.<ref name=":1">{{Cite web |author= |title=Rockstar Legal |url=https://www.rockstargames.com/legal |website=Rockstar Games |date=28 Feb 2025 |access-date=3 Jan 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260211134609/https://www.rockstargames.com/legal |archive-date=11 Feb 2026}}</ref> This affects owners of any games through the Rockstar Games Launcher as well as Steam users who own games that require its use, completely blocking them from using the products they paid for until they agree.
-=== Rockstar automatically linking games to lost accounts when purchased from Steam ===
+===Rockstar automatically linking games to lost accounts when purchased from Steam===
-Games purchased through steam are automatically/on launch locked to linked Rockstar games account <ref name=":1" /><ref name=":2" /><ref name=":3" />, users who in the past had used a Rockstar games account and linked it to steam, but in the leading time between then to the new purchase had lost access to the account then will come to find that the game has now become locked away as the game was automatically locked to an account they no longer can access AFTER they purchased it from steam.
+Games purchased through steam are automatically/on launch locked to linked Rockstar Games account.{{CitationNeeded}} Users who in the past had used a Rockstar Games account and linked it to steam, but who had lost access to their Rockstar-linked emails in the time between then and the new purchase had lost access to the account then found that the game had become locked and unusable, as the game was tied to their inaccessible Rockstar Games account.
-Some users are reporting success after a multitude of attempts to reach out to support in having their accounts un-linked, but many more are reporting back that they are not having any luck with finding a resolution. <ref name=":0" />
+Some users are reporting success after a multitude of attempts to reach out to support in having their accounts un-linked, but others are reporting back that they are not having any luck with finding a resolution.{{CitationNeeded}}
 ===Rockstar requiring proof of purchase for Android games===
-After introducing GTA+,<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=GTA+ Join |url=https://www.rockstargames.com/gta-plus |website=Rockstar Games |date= |access-date=14 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260316195158/https://www.rockstargames.com/gta-plus/join |archive-date=16 Mar 2026}}</ref> some older mobile GTA titles were made available through the subscription.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |author= |title=Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories and Chinatown Wars Added to Games Included With GTA+ |url=https://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/89791k5o447a95/grand-theft-auto-liberty-city-stories-and-chinatown-wars-added-to-game |website=Rockstar Games |date=19 Oct 2023 |access-date=14 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019230214/https://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/89791k5o447a95/grand-theft-auto-liberty-city-stories-and-chinatown-wars-added-to-game |archive-date=19 Oct 2023}}</ref> After each (re-)installation, [[Android]] users are required to send proof of purchase from [[Google Play]] for manual approval.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=How do I restore a mobile purchase for a Rockstar Games title? |url=https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/YthtxkGTJY0uv3MgNJAJv/how-do-i-restore-a-mobile-purchase-for-a-rockstar-games-title |website=Rockstar Games |date=6 May 2024 |access-date=14 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260415001607/https://consumerrights.wiki/w/File:Rockstar_Games_support_page_for_restoring_mobile_purchase.png |archive-date=15 Apr 2026}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |author= |title=Already bought Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories Error |url=https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/pFKhWjF2elrbh0fmxUaTS/already-bought-grand-theft-auto-liberty-city-stories-error |website=Rockstar Games |date=13 Dec 2024 |access-date=14 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260415002743/https://consumerrights.wiki/w/File:Rockstar_Games_Already_bought_Grand_Theft_Auto_Liberty_City_Stories_error.png |archive-date=15 Apr 2026}}</ref>
+After introducing GTA+,<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=GTA+ Join |url=https://www.rockstargames.com/gta-plus |website=Rockstar Games |date= |access-date=14 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260316195158/https://www.rockstargames.com/gta-plus/join |archive-date=16 Mar 2026}}</ref> some older mobile GTA titles were made available through the subscription.<ref name=":2">{{Cite web |author= |title=Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories and Chinatown Wars Added to Games Included With GTA+ |url=https://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/89791k5o447a95/grand-theft-auto-liberty-city-stories-and-chinatown-wars-added-to-game |website=Rockstar Games |date=19 Oct 2023 |access-date=14 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231019230214/https://www.rockstargames.com/newswire/article/89791k5o447a95/grand-theft-auto-liberty-city-stories-and-chinatown-wars-added-to-game |archive-date=19 Oct 2023}}</ref> After each (re-)installation, [[Android]] users are required to send proof of purchase from the [[Google Play Store]] for manual approval.<ref>{{Cite web |author= |title=How do I restore a mobile purchase for a Rockstar Games title? |url=https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/YthtxkGTJY0uv3MgNJAJv/how-do-i-restore-a-mobile-purchase-for-a-rockstar-games-title |website=Rockstar Games |date=6 May 2024 |access-date=14 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260415001607/https://consumerrights.wiki/w/File:Rockstar_Games_support_page_for_restoring_mobile_purchase.png |archive-date=15 Apr 2026}}</ref><ref name=":3">{{Cite web |author= |title=Already bought Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories Error |url=https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/pFKhWjF2elrbh0fmxUaTS/already-bought-grand-theft-auto-liberty-city-stories-error |website=Rockstar Games |date=13 Dec 2024 |access-date=14 Apr 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260415002743/https://consumerrights.wiki/w/File:Rockstar_Games_Already_bought_Grand_Theft_Auto_Liberty_City_Stories_error.png |archive-date=15 Apr 2026}}</ref>
 <gallery>
 Rockstar Games GTA Liberty City Stories purchase page.png|Prompt to buy the game.
@@ Line 49: / Line 49: @@
 File:Rockstar Games Already bought Grand Theft Auto Liberty City Stories error.png|Screenshot of support page for "Already bought Grand Theft Auto: Liberty City Stories?" error.
 </gallery>
+===Physical version for Grand Theft Auto VI is just a download code (''2026'')===
+Contrary to the initial communication from Take-Two Interactive CEO Strauss Zelnik on 4 February 2026,<ref>{{Cite web |last=Corsetti |first=Adam |title=GTA 6 release date will see physical version, despite rumor of delay to curtail leaks |url=https://www.notebookcheck.net/GTA-6-release-date-will-see-physical-version-despite-rumor-of-delay-to-curtail-leaks.1219107.0.html |website=Notebook Check |date=4 Feb 2026 |access-date=26 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://megalodon.jp/2026-0627-1210-48/https://www.notebookcheck.net:443/GTA-6-release-date-will-see-physical-version-despite-rumor-of-delay-to-curtail-leaks.1219107.0.html |archive-date=27 Jun 2026}}</ref><ref name="ign">{{Cite web |last=Valentine |first=Rebekah |title=Take-Two CEO Denies Rumors That GTA 6 Will Be Digital-only at Launch |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/take-two-ceo-denies-rumors-that-gta-6-will-be-digital-only-at-launch |website=IGN |date=4 Feb 2026 |access-date=26 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/bW6wl |archive-date=27 Jun 2026}}</ref> Rockstar Games announced in late June that there would be no discs included for the ''Grand Theft Auto VI'' release. Instead, the box would only contain a code for a digital download of the game.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Croft |first=Liam |title=GTA 6 Physical Edition Doesn't Come with Discs, It's a Code in the Box |url=https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2026/06/gta-6-physical-edition-doesnt-come-with-discs-its-a-code-in-the-box |website=PushSquare |date=24 Jun 2026 |access-date=26 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260624185939/https://www.pushsquare.com/news/2026/06/gta-6-physical-edition-doesnt-come-with-discs-its-a-code-in-the-box |archive-date=24 Jun 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last1=Ji |first1=Christine |last2=Blasi |first2=Weston |title=‘GTA 6’ preorders are live — and pack an unpleasant surprise for gamers besides the $80 price tag |url=https://www.marketwatch.com/story/gta-6-preorders-are-live-and-pack-an-unpleasant-surprise-for-gamers-besides-the-80-price-tag-a59ea8a9 |url-access=subscription |website=MarketWatch |date=25 Jun 2026 |access-date=26 Jun 2025 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20260627035742/https://www.marketwatch.com/story/gta-6-preorders-are-live-and-pack-an-unpleasant-surprise-for-gamers-besides-the-80-price-tag-a59ea8a9 |archive-date=27 Jun 2026}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Phillips |first=Tom |title=Grand Theft Auto 6 Physical Copies Won't Include a Disc, Will Just Be a Code in a Box |url=https://www.ign.com/articles/grand-theft-auto-6-physical-copies-wont-include-a-disc-will-just-be-a-code-in-a-box |website=IGN |date=25 Jun 2026 |access-date=26 Jun 2026 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/archive/cpwjC |archive-date=27 Jun 2026}}</ref>
+This effectively bore out the online rumors which had been circulating back in February that ''GTA VI'' would be digital-only at launch.<ref name="ign" />
 ==Products==
@@ Line 67: / Line 72: @@
 ===L.A. Noire===
 *L.A. Noire (2011)
+===Red Dead Redemption===
+*Red Dead Redemption (2010)
+*Red Dead Redemption 2 (2018)
 ==See also==