Rockstar has launched its own PC games launcher called the Rockstar Games Launcher. The Rockstar Games Launcher allows Rockstar to offer its games (and microtransactions) directly to gamers, avoiding the need to go through a storefront such as Steam.

There are already a host of PC game launchers available, so why would you install the Rockstar Games Launcher? To get a free game, basically, with Rockstar offering a free copy of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas to everyone who installs it.

How to Start Using the Rockstar Games Launcher

The Rockstar Games Launcher lets you purchase and install the latest Rockstar Games titles. While not all games are available at launch you can already buy GTA V, GTA 3, GTA: Vice City, Bully: Scholarship Edition, L.A. Noire, and Max Payne 3.

Here's how to download and install the Rockstar Games Launcher:

  1. Go to the Rockstar Games Launcher website.
  2. Click "Download for Windows".
  3. Open the installer and follow the instructions.
  4. If you don't already have one, create a Rockstar Social account.
  5. Launch the Rockstar Games Launcher and log in.

To get your free copy of Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas, click the banner at the top of the welcome page. Complete the transaction, and the game will be added to your library. You can then play one of the best GTA games of all time completely for free.

The Best Free PC Games to Play Right Now

As well as giving you a free game and letting you purchase other titles, the Rockstar Games Launcher will also pull all of your Rockstar Games titles together in one place. There's also cloud saves for certain titles, and automatic updates for games.

The fact that the Rockstar Games Launcher bags you a free copy of GTA: San Andreas makes it a no-brainer. Which is exactly why Rockstar included it. And once you've finished playing San Andreas you should check out the best free PC games to play right now.