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Multiplayer#

GTA IV had an amazing multiplayer... and it still does! Rockstar Games has removed the multiplayer from the Complete Edition, but there's HappinessMP for CE, and you can always downgrade to have the original experience. If you're tired of GTA Online and want something more classic, you should definitely check out GTA IV's multiplayer!

Most multiplayer methods require downgrading.

It's recommended to have ZolikaPatch set up for a better multiplayer experience. Make sure to configure ZolikaPatch.ini to use multiplayer functions and set DoNotPauseOnMinimize to 1.

Make sure to have RecoilFix set to 0 in GTAIV.EFLC.FusionFix.ini to avoid being at disadvantage with other players.

Additionally, you may want to have ZMenuIV for the ability to create and participate in custom gamemodes.

You can also use this to unlock all multiplayer clothing for customization.

Avoid using overhaul, addition or replacement mods.

Games for Windows - LIVE#

This section also includes steps to configure GFWL for non-multiplayer use too, if you came here from other pages. Just skip the "Joining/Creating Lobbies" part.

Compatibility

This method is only compatible with patches 1.0.7.0 and 1.0.8.0. It's also compatible with older patches, but they'll be put into separate lobbies. Downgrade if using the Complete Edition. Wine does not implement support for GFWL, so this method is not possible on Linux.

The classic multiplayer method, the one that started it all. And the one that is obnoxiously annoying to set up. Most communities stick to it at the moment.

Usage#

Installation

This step is already taken care of by ItsClockAndre's downgrader if you chose to configure the install for GFWL. Skip it if you did.

What's the Marketplace?

While you do get the Marketplace, don't bother opening it or trying to make it work. Marketplace is not functional, but still must be installed for GFWL itself to work.

Signing in

This is using the same account as your Microsoft or Xbox account. Create one if you don't already have one.

Disable 2FA completely on the account to be able to sign in. You can turn it back on after you're signed in and set to sign in automatically.

  • Make sure you don't have xlive.dll in the game folder - rename it to dinput8.dll if you do.
  • Open the game.
  • Press the Home key on your keyboard. You'll be met with the startup screen.

If the startup screen did not appear or you're met with an error when opening the game, re-read the instructions from the start.

  • Click Use Existing LIVE Profile to get the sign in screen.
  • Uncheck Save my e-mail address and Save my e-mail address and password.
  • Enter your Microsoft or Xbox account credentials to sign in. Check Sign me in automatically for convenience and to be able to turn 2FA back on.
  • Make yourself a cup of tea or do whatever you want for the next 5-10 minutes. I'm not kidding - it might take that long to log in. Don't think it's stuck - it's not.
  • See the next part for activation.
Activation

We now have several ways to activate the game.

One of the ways to activate the game is to own a GFWL key. Although you'll share it with a lot of other people - it'll still be "yours", so to say.

First, check if you already own any game with Legacy (Per-Title 5x5) activation - you may already own one of these games - check if their CD Key works for you.

After you've made sure you don't have one already, you can look for a GFWL key on some marketplaces or such. Or, you can buy one of these two Steam games, that are the only ones that still sell a GFWL key as of December 2023. That might change in the future. Don't worry, you can refund the game after you've acquired the key.

After buying the game, go to the library, select the game and right click - Manage - CD keys and copy the key somewhere. You can refund it now.

This one is pretty self-explanatory - just go around online and look for random GFWL keys - preferably with Legacy (Per-Title 5x5) activation - they have multiple uses, so you might get lucky. These two Discord servers might help you:

Grand Theft RevIVal Games For Windows Live Hub

The channel with the activation method is #gfwl-keys (for promotion and respect reasons, I won't link it here directly), but check out the server itself too, we're welcome to anyone!

Grand Theft RevIVal

After you acquired the key and activated the game(again, this might take another 5-10 minutes, so get yourself a tea or something), you're ready to play!

Joining/Creating Lobbies

Either use the in-game phone's Multiplayer - LIVE - Player Match option to join or create a lobby, or add friends in the Home overlay and join their lobbies instead.

  • Explanations of menu options:
    • Quick Match allows to join a random existing lobby of a specific gamemode.
    • Custom Match allows to find an existing lobby of any gamemode.
    • Create Match allows to create a lobby yourself.

If you're looking for people to play with, visit this Discord server:

Grand Theft RevIVal

Port Forwarding

If you are having problems connecting to lobbies (kickbug, joining an empty lobby), you may be having problems with automatic port forwarding (UPnP). Set up port forwarding for the following ports in your router's settings (look online for instructions for your specific router or ISP, or contact your ISP):

  • TCP: 3074, 80, 88
  • UDP: 3074, 80, 88

If you can't perform port forwarding, use a VPN service instead. I recommend Mullvad VPN (I'm not paid for this).

Grand Theft Auto Connected#

Compatibility

This client is only compatible with patches 1.0.6.0, 1.0.7.0 and 1.0.8.0. Downgrade if using the Complete Edition.

GTA Connected only supports ZolikaPatch and ZMenuIV out of mods - other mods are not allowed. If you want to have Fusion Shaders, you can use V109 or V106 - but they lack a lot of things from the latest versions.

Second most popular multiplayer option, as it's the best way to experience GTA IV multiplayer without messing with GFWL while still having many of it's things intact.

Usage#

Installation
  • Go to the GTA Connected website.
  • Download the latest client.
  • Install the GTAC-x.x.x.exe from the GTAC-x.x.x.zip.
Configuration
  • Set the Game box to Grand Theft Auto IV.
  • In the Tools - Launcher Settings window, set your nickname. You can also set various settings as you wish.
  • In the Tools - Game Settings window, set the path to your GTA IV install. You can also set various settings as you wish.
Joining servers

Once you're done with the configuration, it's as simple as double-clicking on any server in the list. You'll be presented with the game's main menu - just hit Play.

GTAConnected website GTAConnected Discord Server

HappinessMP#

Compatibility

This client is only compatible with the Complete Edition and does not support any mods at the moment - even Ultimate ASI Loader.

This client is somewhat similar to GTA Connected in essence, as you can host your own servers with your own scripts, but it aims to be compatible with the Complete Edition and requires Social Club to function rather than 1.0.8.0/1.0.7.0. It also lacks any of the official Rockstar gamemodes.

Usage#

Installation
  • Go to the HappinessMP website.
  • Click the Download button.
  • Install the HappinessMP.exe.
Playing

Set your nickname and chat key in the Settings. After that, just click on any server you want in the server to join.

HappinessMP Discord Server HappinessMP's website

Upcoming clients#

These clients are currently in development and are not available for play yet. They'll receive their own full-fledged sections when they're freely available for play. Support their development if you can!

XLiveLessNess#

This project aims to be a replacement for GFWL. It technically works, but at the same time I couldn't get a lobby with more than just two players working with it just yet. Download the release, drop the files to the game folder, press HOME in-game, set your nickname, check the checkmarks and set the broadcast address to glitchyscripts.com:1100. Use the LAN function in-game instead of LIVE.

GitLab

Liberty City Online#

This client also aims to provide a highly flexible multiplayer experience, similar to SA:MP, along with support for original game modes such as Deathmatch. However, it will require the 1.0.8.0 and 1.0.7.0 patches instead.

Liberty City Online's website

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