Speaking in a recent interview with CVG, Rockstar North’s Imran Sarwar stated that both pieces of Grand Theft Auto IV DLC were planned “from the beginning.” Rather than building on top of the expansive world in GTA IV after completion, Rockstar decided to flesh everything out at the start, from concept to creation. Additionally, the aim for Niko’s persona was “to make him feel like a small part of a much larger world.”

Further, Sarwar elaborated on why including the DLC with the retail product was not possible:

“I think if we had it would have been impossible to focus on each separate aspect of gameplay properly, the stories and the gameplay are inextricably linked.

The last episode for GTA IV went live on Xbox 360 this week, The Ballad of Gay Tony.

Rockstar: GTA episodes were “plan from the beginning” [CVG]

Read more: Grand Theft Auto: The Ballad of Gay Tony and Episodes from Liberty City Announced, Grand Theft Auto IV Multiplayer Opened To XBL Silver Members for Six Days, Rockstar Promises “New Multiplayer Modes, Weapons, Vehicles” For GTA IV DLC, Tomb Raider Episodic Content Confirmed, XBLA Wednesday: Sensible World of Soccer and Tempest