![Rockstar apologizes for GTA Definitive Edition, PC originals return to Rockstar Store soon, free to ‘Definitive’ owners [UPDATE]](https://delistedgames.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/news-gtatrilogy2.jpg)
[UPDATE 11/20/21] While starting work on the game pages for each of the titles I found that the PS2 Classics versions of the games on PlayStation 3 are at least partially available:
Grand Theft Auto III (AU, EU, NA)
Grand Theft Auto: Vice City (HK, NA)
Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (HK, NA)
In North America the ‘Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy (PS2 Classics Bundle)’ is also available. The games are still down on PlayStation 4, Xbox 360, Steam, and the Rockstar Store. Our original post from earlier today continues below:
One week after the disastrous launch of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition, Rockstar Games has issued a statement on the situation. In addition to apologizing for the poor performance of the titles and promising ongoing updates, they’ve confirmed that the original PC versions, delisted ahead of the Definitive Edition release, will be coming back to the Rockstar Store as a new bundle. Surprisingly, they’re also giving away this bundle for free to anyone who purchased the Definitive Edition between its launch on November 11th all the way up to June 30th, 2022.
That’s great for PC owners who buy the game directly through the Rockstar Games Launcher, but unfortunately there’s been no word on whether the Steam, PlayStation, or Xbox versions of the original three titles will ever return to sale. Since the announcement was posted the first major update has been released for PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, and Xbox One bringing it to version 1.02. The list of fixes is immense and broken down by both general improvements and game by game. Rockstar’s original announcement follows:
We want to provide an update regarding the unexpected technical issues that came to light as part of the launch of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition.
Firstly, we want to sincerely apologize to everyone who has encountered issues playing these games.
The Grand Theft Auto series — and the games that make up this iconic trilogy — are as special to us as we know they are to fans around the world. The updated versions of these classic games did not launch in a state that meets our own standards of quality, or the standards our fans have come to expect.
We have ongoing plans to address the technical issues and to improve each game going forward. With each planned update, the games will reach the level of quality that they deserve to be.
A new Title Update is on the way in the coming days for all versions of Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition that will address a number of issues. We will update everyone as soon as it is live.
In the meantime, it pains us to mention that we are hearing reports of members of the development teams being harassed on social media. We would kindly ask our community to please maintain a respectful and civil discourse around this release as we work through these issues.
While one of the goals of the Definitive Editions was to allow players to enjoy these games on modern platforms for many years to come, we also understand that some of you would still like to have the previous classic versions available for purchase.
We will be adding the classic PC versions of Grand Theft Auto III, Grand Theft Auto: Vice City, and Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas back to the Rockstar Store shortly as a bundle. Additionally, everyone who has purchased Grand Theft Auto: The Trilogy – The Definitive Edition for PC from the Rockstar Store through June 30, 2022, will receive these classic versions in their Rockstar Games Launcher library at no additional cost. We will update everyone as soon as these are back in the Rockstar Store.
Once again, we’d like to thank everyone for their patience and understanding while we work through these updates to ensure these games meet everyone’s justifiably high standards.
Rockstar Games Announcement
Bringing the original PC versions back and giving them away for free, even for a limited time, is a great compensation for the sorry state of the Definitive Edition. I just wish they’d confirmed that all versions would eventually be coming back because I don’t see a bright future for the older console releases. Thanks to everyone who pointed out Rockstar’s announcement, I’ll have pages up on the site soon.