Grand Theft Auto V 'Early Sales' Probed

Rockstar Games is reportedly investigating how copies of its eagerly awaited Grand Theft Auto V were sent out before today's official release.

It is claimed that internet retailer Amazon posted out pre-ordered copies of the game before the date they were supposed to go - so some lucky gamers got their hands on it before this morning.

In a statement issued to GamesIndustry International, Rockstar said: "We are in the process of investigating early 'sales' to determine how and why that is occurring."

Amazon has not commented on the issue.

Meanwhile, the game appears to have met expectations with critics - who got their copies early as intended.

Digital Spy's Liam Martin wrote that "the city of Los Santos and its surrounding countryside is among the most diverse, interesting and visually striking virtual environments that I've ever had the pleasure of exploring".

Keza Macdonald of IGN wrote: "It is a leap forward in narrative sophistication for the series, and there's no mechanical element of the gameplay that hasn't been improved over Grand Theft Auto IV."

And Edge was unrestrained in its praise for the game, declaring: "It's a remarkable achievement, a peerless marriage of world design, storytelling and mechanics that pushes these ageing consoles to the limit and makes it all look easy.

"As we stand on the brink of a new generation, GTA V sends an intimidating message to the rest of the industry. Beat that."

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