Rockstar Makes GTA III - The Definitive Edition Free for GTA+ Subscribers After App Store Glitch

The GTA community experienced a brief moment of excitement this week when Grand Theft Auto III – The Definitive Edition mysteriously appeared for free on Apple's App Store. Now, what started as an apparent glitch, has turned into a deliberate offering for subscribers of Rockstar's premium service.

Three days ago, eagle-eyed mobile gamers discovered that GTA III: The Definitive Edition was available for free download on iOS devices. The title, which typically costs $19.99, could suddenly be claimed by anyone with an Apple account. Reddit user lmarti_g7 was among the first to spot the anomaly, quickly spreading word across gaming communities.

It was entirely unexpected since there had been no announcements from Rockstar Games, no special promotions, and, curiously, the Android version remained at full price on the Google Play Store. The game's requirements remained unchanged - iOS 16 or later with an A12 Bionic chip or newer could handle the 1.9 GB download.

However, the free offer was short-lived. By noon the following day, the pricing had reverted to normal, confirming that the temporary availability was indeed an error rather than an intentional promotion. Those who managed to snag the game during the brief window were able to keep it permanently in their libraries.

Days later, Rockstar has transformed what appeared to be a mistake into a strategic move. The company has officially announced that_GTA III: The Definitive Edition_is available at no additional cost to GTA+ subscribers on both iOS and Android platforms. This is the first time the mobile version has been included in the subscription service's catalog.

GTA+ launched as_Grand Theft Auto Online_'s premium subscription service, offering members exclusive content, monthly bonuses, and access to select titles. The inclusion of the mobile remaster is an expansion of the service's value proposition, potentially making it more attractive to players who enjoy gaming on the go.

The road that led_GTA III: The Definitive Edition_to this point has been anything but smooth. When the title launched in late 2021, it faced widespread criticism for technical issues, visual problems, and numerous bugs that tarnished the legacy of the beloved classics.

However, the development team has spent the past three years addressing player complaints. A significant update released last year resolved many of the most persistent issues, earning praise from fans who had initially written off the remaster.

The game previously found success on Netflix's gaming platform, where it accumulated millions of downloads before being removed from the service late last year. This mobile audience demonstrated clear demand for portable versions of classic_GTA_ titles.

Now, Rockstar may be exploring new ways to leverage its classic catalog across different platforms and services. The mobile gaming market continues to grow, and offering premium titles through subscription services has become increasingly common across the industry.