Forums Flooded with GTA IV PC Issues

Nowadays, when a new game is released, I usually wait for the frequent 1.01 patch before I even consider buying it. You know, the one that is sometimes available before the game even hits the stores. Often it seems as though games are shipped with the intention of players being beta testers, and it seems Grand Theft Auto IV (GTA IV) on the PC is no different.

A slew of issues, from overall performance to numerous error codes to lack of SLI support to missing textures are flooding forums. It's gotten so bad that Steam users are even being offered refunds, on a case-by-case basis.

Of course, anyone who's tried to get a Steam refund knows the process can be arduous.

And, when a company has to produce numerous different guides to issues, it's not a good sign.

This support document outlines the numerous error codes.
This one suggests a missing textures fix (missing car above, for example), which it attributes to "third party graphical performance tuners."

And as to why users of even powerful gaming PCs are being forced to use lowered graphics, this document is hilarious (in a sad way):

Most users using current PC hardware as of December 2008 are advised to use medium graphics settings. Higher settings are provided for future generations of PCs with higher specifications than are currently widely available.

Oh, and lets not forget Rockstar's havily promoted Social Club. Reports are that if you are logged in you can't launch the game. You'll get an MMA10 error, which crashes the game to desktop after viewing the copyright screen.

Naturally Rockstar Games says they're working on a patch. Anyone remember all the issues on the Xbox 360 and PS3 versions when they came out? Nice to know we PC gamers aren't left out.

Want to join the pain? Check out these forums:

Steam GTAIV Forum
GTAForums.com
GTAGaming.com