Grand Theft Auto IV gets patch to remove songs with expired licenses

The changes will influence the experience

Rockstar Games has released a patch for Grand Theft Auto IV that removes songs the studio no longer has valid licenses for. Some of the removed songs have been replaced with others.

The new patch for Grand Theft Auto IV makes it almost impossible to get the original experience that players once had playing the game 10 years ago when it released in 2008. The licensed songs are now being removed because the acquired licenses were only valid for 10 years.

The most significant changes can be found on the Vladivostok FM radio station as it sees all of its original songs removed, including the iconic song "Schweine" by Glukoza that plays when players first start the game.

Other noteworthy changes are the removal of "1979" by The Smashing Pumpkins, "Fascination" by David Bowie, and "Evil Woman" by Electric Light Orchestra.

Thus far players have found that 40 songs have been removed, including some in the game's Episodes of Liberty City expansion packs.

PC gamers will find it difficult to circumvent the patch as Steam will automatically force players to install it, leaving piracy or installing via the original game discs the only option to get the original experience.