Disc vs. Download: What You Should Know About GTA4 DLC

22 Comments Posted October 29, 2009 - By Sterling McGarvey

Grand Theft Auto IV: The Ballad of Gay Tony

Earlier today, Rockstar Games released the final downloadable episode for Grand Theft Auto IV, The Ballad of Gay Tony. You might have read our launch primer, or perhaps my review yesterday, but there seems to be some confusion regarding the downloadable version, which is now available on Xbox Live Marketplace, and the disc-based Episodes from Liberty City, which also contains the previously digital-only The Lost and Damned. I popped in the disc just before bedtime last night to check it out, and wanted to clarify a few things for curious readers. I'll likely update as I learn more.

Achievements are the same across the board. Whether you buy the EfLC disc or you download the game, it's all going into the GTA4 pot. A recent title update upped GTA4's total Gamerscore points to 1500. There aren't any separate disc-based achievements that you'll get for buying the game at the store versus downloading episodes from your couch.

If you've played TLaD and you're still thinking about buying the disc, your save files will work on the disc. I unlocked a TLaD achievement last night while playing off the disc version, even though I downloaded the game back in February.

If you have enough hard drive space, you've already installed GTA4 and you decide to slap EfLC on your HDD, you'll have two GTA4 install files. You'll need to keep an eye on the date of installation, since that seemed to be the only difference between the two that caught my eye late last night before I started playing.

The radio stations have been revamped on the EfLC disc compared to the music on the GTA4 disc. Vladivostok FM's Russian pop has been replaced with upbeat British house music, The Beat 102.7 features new tracks (one of which plays into a scene in Gay Tony), and Lazlow has a slew of new and inappropriate "Man on the Street" interviews for Integrity 2.0. The big cherry on top is Vice City FM, which is exclusive to the disc. Since Gay Tony went live on Xbox Live Marketplace very late in the evening, I haven't had the chance to buy it on my home console and test whether the downloadable version features updated radio stations as well (big shout out to any readers who can confirm updated stations).

From my estimates, if you own The Lost and Damned already, and Vice City FM isn't a big deal for you, you're probably just fine with downloading The Ballad of Gay Tony. You'll save yourself the trip to your local retailer and depending on your broadband speed, you'll be playing it in an hour or two. If you haven't downloaded TLaD or you played GTA4 on PS3 but also own an Xbox 360, it wouldn't hurt to pick up the EfLC disc. Either way, you'll get the same outcome: sticky bombs, base jumps, and exploding shotgun shells are fun. Happy gaming!

Tags: Grand Theft Auto IV, Videogames, Xbox 360

Comments

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9000

dangit. i have to buy the disc version because of limited hard drive space. i'll just delete tlad. oh wellz =(

Posted: October 29, 2009 12:08 PM | Reply | Report

+1 thumbs up thumbs down

5 Replies
mathiasreese

With the disc, you have some resale value... That's worth the trip to the store for me.

Posted: October 29, 2009 12:12 PM | Reply | Report

+5 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
jahlov420

for sure the disc....you can at least sell it later on. digital < disc

Posted: October 29, 2009 12:27 PM | Reply | Report

+4 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
Warrior567

i have to download b/c i only have 20 dollars. i spent the rest on odst, and am going to spend more on mw2

Posted: October 29, 2009 12:27 PM | Reply | Report

+1 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
HenNaHito

I sold GTIV for Borderlands. I will buy the GTA: Episodes disc (TLATD & BOGT); that way I don't have to the main GTIV disc to play.

Posted: October 29, 2009 12:56 PM | Reply | Report

+4 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
Armyofnone

I wanted to know about the multiplayer, my GTA 4 disk doesn't work so i want to know if i can just buy the EfLC disc and still play online.

Posted: October 29, 2009 12:57 PM | Reply | Report

+1 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
BONERJAM

I downloaded it this morning mainly becuase I already downloaded TLAD when it came out, it made the most sense for me save the money.

Posted: October 29, 2009 12:58 PM | Reply | Report

+2 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
Secondtooth

Download sucks...Hardcopy FTW!!

Posted: October 29, 2009 1:18 PM | Reply | Report

+4 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
IcemanMX

That's awesome! I never got around to downloading "The Lost and the Damned", so I'll think I'll pick up the disc copy and get both episodes. Also, I don't have any room left on my HDD.

Does anyone know how much EfLC will cost?

-M

Posted: October 29, 2009 1:54 PM | Reply | Report

+1 thumbs up thumbs down

1 Reply
troopershades

I too had already downloaded TLAD but Im wishing that I had queued this up before getting off work cuz the download is taking foooorreeevvvvvaaaaar. I have a 20+ Mbps download and it has still taken an hour to get to 72%

Posted: October 29, 2009 1:56 PM | Reply | Report

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0 Replies
YoureSoFunny

If it took you an hour then maybe you should of started downloading an hour ago b/c you could be playing it if you did that HAHAHA next time you should think about that

Posted: October 29, 2009 2:54 PM | Reply | Report

+1 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
madhatterz28

I'll buy the disc in a month when people are selling them for $20. BAM! Two for the price of one!

Posted: October 29, 2009 2:54 PM | Reply | Report

+3 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
turdismiller

disc buying losers.

Posted: October 29, 2009 3:27 PM | Reply | Report

0 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
dbeam308

I believe that even if you haven't downloaded TLaD, it'd be better and more cost-effective to just download TBoGT as it makes TLaD look weak in comparison.

Personally speaking, of course.

Posted: October 29, 2009 3:39 PM | Reply | Report

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0 Replies
jkat1

i never got TLAD so i think ill jus end up getting disc cuz i jus have the standard 20GB HDD. anyone know how much it costs cuz i need to manage around mw2 to see if i have enough money

Posted: October 29, 2009 3:42 PM | Reply | Report

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0 Replies
SiK

I got a digital copy it will stay on my Profile forever and anyways I still have my GTA4 and i got The lost and damed when it came out so yea Im downloading it right now

Posted: October 29, 2009 3:53 PM | Reply | Report

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Spybreak

I, unlike many others, keep all the games I buy so yea I downloaded it, since I dled TLAD, and am loving the new content. What a blast, great story, amusing and creative plots/missions. I'm hearing the new music I think, not 100% sure.

Posted: October 29, 2009 9:44 PM | Reply | Report

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0 Replies
Krypton

I downloaded TLAD back in Feb, but i bought EFLC. Only because i prefer to have the physical copy of my games and because i wanted to save the HD space on my 20g.

Besides, the game plays a lot smoother from the disc and there are no pop ins.

Also, the EFLC disc looks cool next to all my other GTA Games. :)

Posted: October 29, 2009 10:25 PM | Reply | Report

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0 Replies
budzee

I sold my copy of GTA4 a long time ago, but I admit that going back into this world, on disc, for less than the price of both DLC is very tempting. EFLC is definitely under my "sometime this year" file.

Posted: October 30, 2009 2:08 PM | Reply | Report

+1 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies
streetjock4000

i bought the disc yesterday

Posted: November 1, 2009 6:30 PM | Reply | Report

+1 thumbs up thumbs down

0 Replies