Deciding whether to GTA IV kill Dwayne or Playboy is one of those gaming moments that actually sticks with you long after you've put the controller down. You’re sitting there in Northwood, staring at two guys who couldn’t be more different. One is a depressed ex-con who feels like the world passed him by. The other is a shallow, narcissistic "entrepreneur" who thinks he’s the next Donald Trump because he has a gold-plated blender.
Honestly? It's not even a fair fight.
If you’re looking for the short answer: Kill Playboy X. Just do it. Don’t think twice. But if you want to know the mechanical, narrative, and emotional reasons why killing Dwayne is basically the worst mistake you can make in Liberty City, we need to get into the weeds of how Rockstar structured the mission "The Holland Play."
The Cold Reality of The Holland Play
Niko Bellic is a man of business, but even he has a soul. When Playboy X approaches you to take out his old mentor, Dwayne Forge, it feels dirty. Dwayne just got out of prison and found out his "friends" moved on without him. Playboy, meanwhile, is living in a massive penthouse, surrounded by "yes men," and treating everyone like they're disposable.
Most players feel an instinctive urge to help the underdog. That’s Dwayne. He’s sad, he’s lonely, and he’s actually quite loyal to Niko. Playboy X is a snake. He’s the kind of guy who talks about "synergy" and "moving units" while selling out the people who built him up.
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What happens if you kill Dwayne?
If you decide to go through with Playboy’s hit, you head over to Dwayne’s housing project. It’s a miserable mission. Dwayne doesn't even put up a fight. He just stands there, accepting his fate, which makes the whole thing feel incredibly hollow.
After the deed is done, Playboy X gives you a measly $25,000. That sounds like a lot until you realize how useless money is in Grand Theft Auto IV. You can't buy property. You can't buy cars. You can buy some suits at Perseus and a mountain of RPG ammo, but that's about it.
The worst part? Playboy X hates you for it. He gets all high and mighty, claiming he can’t look at you because you remind him of what he’s become. He cuts ties. You get the money, and you lose a contact. It's a lose-lose situation wrapped in a boring payday.
Why Killing Playboy X is the Pro Move
Now, let’s look at the alternative. When you choose to GTA IV kill Dwayne or Playboy by siding with the veteran, the game rewards you in ways that actually impact your playthrough. You head to Playboy's penthouse. You chase him through the streets. You corner him in an alley. It’s a satisfying conclusion to a subplot about greed versus loyalty.
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Here is the breakdown of the rewards you get for taking out the "man with the plan":
- Playboy X’s Penthouse: This is the biggest selling point. You get the keys to his luxury loft in Northwood. It has a great view, a pool table, and a wardrobe that includes Claude’s outfit from GTA III (if you look in the closet).
- Dwayne’s Friendship: If you take the time to answer Dwayne's depressed emails and hang out with him, he becomes a powerful ally.
- Backup Support: Once your friendship level with Dwayne is high enough, you can call him for backup. He’ll send two armed homies in a Patriot to help you out during missions or police shootouts. This is infinitely more useful than a one-time cash payment.
Dwayne is actually a pretty chill guy to hang out with once he opens up. Sure, he’s a bit of a downer at first, but his perspective on Liberty City is a nice contrast to the flashy, fake world Playboy inhabited.
The Myth of the "Easy" Choice
Some people argue that killing Dwayne is "canon" because it fits the tragedy of Niko’s life. I think that’s nonsense. Niko is a character defined by his search for something real in a city of ghosts. Siding with Dwayne is one of the few times Niko gets to choose loyalty over a paycheck.
When you look at the mechanics of the game, Rockstar clearly incentivized killing Playboy. The penthouse serves as a much-needed save point in the northern part of the city. Without it, you're constantly trekking back to Bohan or Middle Park.
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The Narrative Weight of Loyalty
In the broader context of GTA IV, the choice between GTA IV kill Dwayne or Playboy serves as a litmus test for the player. Are you playing Niko as a cold-blooded mercenary who only cares about the bottom line? Or is he a man trying to find a tribe in a hostile land?
Dwayne represents the "old school." He’s a guy who did his time and expected the world to respect the rules he grew up with. Playboy represents the "new school"—vibrant, wealthy, and completely devoid of ethics. If you kill Dwayne, you’re basically saying that loyalty has no value in Liberty City.
But if you kill Playboy, you’re taking a stand. You’re saying that even in a city as corrupt as this one, some things shouldn't be for sale. Plus, again, the penthouse is just really nice. It has a great balcony for sniping pedestrians if you're bored between missions.
Common Misconceptions About the Choice
- "You can get the penthouse later anyway." False. If you kill Dwayne, you never get access to that loft. It’s gone for good.
- "Dwayne is annoying to hang out with." Look, he's depressed. But his dialogue is some of the best written in the game. He offers a genuine look at the systemic issues of Liberty City's underclass.
- "The $25k is better for the early game." By the time you reach "The Holland Play," you should already have plenty of cash from the bank heist and other jobs. Money is rarely the bottleneck in this game.
Tactical Advice for the Encounter
If you decide to take out Playboy, be prepared for a bit of a scrap. His guards aren't jokes. I recommend bringing a combat shotgun for the initial breach into the penthouse. Once you’re on the roof, switch to an M4 or an AK-47 to pick off the guys on the fire escapes.
Playboy will eventually flee into an alleyway. Don't rush him blindly; he has a pistol and can get a lucky headshot if you're careless. Just corner him, listen to his pathetic begging, and do what needs to be done. It’s one of the few moments in the game where pulling the trigger feels like genuine justice.
Actionable Next Steps for Your Playthrough
- Save your game before starting "The Holland Play" just in case you want to see both endings, though the Playboy kill is superior.
- Check the closet in the Northwood penthouse immediately after moving in to find the Easter egg outfit.
- Reply to Dwayne’s emails. This is how you trigger his friendship missions. Don't ignore him, or you'll never get that backup support.
- Take Dwayne to Cluckin' Bell. He’s easy to please and it boosts your friendship percentage quickly.
Ultimately, the choice to GTA IV kill Dwayne or Playboy defines your version of Niko. One path leads to a lonely pile of cash and a guilty conscience. The other leads to a luxury apartment, a loyal friend, and the knowledge that you took out one of the biggest hypocrites in the state of Liberty. The choice is yours, but one side of the coin is definitely shinier than the other.