GTA IV: which order to play the main game and the episodes
For when you're starting GTA IV and aren't sure where The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony fit.
For: First-time GTA IV players · Skill: Beginner · Type: Player question
Our prompt: written by RealAgentCases, not a real user's case Go to the prompt ↓
- Story & 100% Completion
- GTA IV
- PC
- Xbox
- Spoiler-free
- Facts can change
Facts in this answer can change. The prompt asks the AI to look up current information. We re-test it when a new edition, port or big fix comes out, and by Dec 3, 2026 at the latest.
Why this works & tips
Why this works
- It checks how the episodes are sold or launched on your platform before suggesting an order.
- Each order option comes with a spoiler-free reason, so it suits both release-order and story-order players.
Tips
- Tested with ChatGPT and Gemini with web search on. Free Gemini sometimes labels third-party or Reddit sources as 'Official', so open the links before relying on anything it calls official.
Prompt
Written by us, last tested Oct 19, 2026. The words in [BRACKETS] are filled in by the form below, with our tested examples already in.
I'm about to play GTA IV for the first time. Tell me the best order for the main game and the two episodes. - Platform and version: [PLATFORM AND VERSION] - What I care about: [WHAT I CARE ABOUT] - Time per week: [TIME PER WEEK] If I left a field at its default, use the default. Search the web for current information before you answer, and don't rely on memory, since versions, patches and store listings change. If you can't browse the web, say so in your first line and mark anything you can't verify as "unverified" instead of guessing. Label each fact official (Rockstar Support, Rockstar Newswire or the store listing), community-tested (name the wiki, guide or thread) or estimate (your own judgment), and say the date you checked. Check how The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony are launched or sold on my version. Then give me 2-3 different play orders (no two the same), with a spoiler-free reason for each, and pick one for what I care about. Give an estimated length for each part (label it an estimate with a source). Spoiler rule: use mission names only; don't mention endings, choices, deaths or which characters appear later.
Customize this prompt
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Your prompt
I'm about to play GTA IV for the first time. Tell me the best order for the main game and the two episodes. - Platform and version: Steam Complete Edition - What I care about: story impact - Time per week: 6 hours If I left a field at its default, use the default. Search the web for current information before you answer, and don't rely on memory, since versions, patches and store listings change. If you can't browse the web, say so in your first line and mark anything you can't verify as "unverified" instead of guessing. Label each fact official (Rockstar Support, Rockstar Newswire or the store listing), community-tested (name the wiki, guide or thread) or estimate (your own judgment), and say the date you checked. Check how The Lost and Damned and The Ballad of Gay Tony are launched or sold on my version. Then give me 2-3 different play orders (no two the same), with a spoiler-free reason for each, and pick one for what I care about. Give an estimated length for each part (label it an estimate with a source). Spoiler rule: use mission names only; don't mention endings, choices, deaths or which characters appear later.
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Test receipts
Tested on ChatGPT and Gemini: 1 passed, 1 passed with notes. Not tested on this version: Grok (test planned for Thu, Oct 22, 2026).See test details ▾Hide test details ▴
We ran this prompt (version 2, Oct 19, 2026) with the example answers shown in the form above. Excerpts are copied word for word. It needs a pass in at least 2 of ChatGPT, Gemini and Grok to be published.
- Tested
- Oct 19, 2026
- AI and model
- ChatGPT, model not shown (free logged-out guest, web search on)
- What we got
My recommendation is to play Grand Theft Auto IV → The Lost and Damned → The Ballad of Gay Tony. You get the central story first, then two companion campaigns that expand your understanding of Liberty City without interrupting the main game's momentum.
- Result
- Pass
- Tested
- Oct 19, 2026
- AI and model
- Gemini, Flash-Lite (free logged-out guest)
- What we got
Order: GTA IV → The Lost and Damned → The Ballad of Gay Tony
- Result
- Pass with notes
- Notes
- correct order, three different options, no spoilers and reasonable lengths; never gives a date checked
Spoilers: none, so there's no separate spoiler-free version.
Fan-made, not affiliated with Rockstar Games. Grand Theft Auto, GTA and related names are trademarks of Take-Two Interactive / Rockstar Games. We don't use their logos or artwork, and these prompts don't ask the AI to copy them.
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Prompt not working? Email us and we'll re-test it.