by Craig Buck

Created on: March 08, 2013

Since Grand Theft Auto V was announced in October 2011, the game has become the most eagerly anticipated title of the decade. With Rockstar announcing a release date of September 17th, speculation has now turned to they type of content that is due to feature in the game. Rockstar are keeping their cards close to their chest but, via the release of trailers, some information about the game has been disclosed.

In traditional GTA games, you have always played the role of one character. Whether this was Tommy Vercetti, Nico Belic or one of the other protagonists in the series which dates back to the mid 90's, you have always seen the main character through from the first mission to the very last. GTA V deviates away from this formula by giving you the chance to play as three main characters throughout the game.

Michael is a former bank robber in his mid 40's. With money tight due to his wife living the high life, Michael needs to get back into the business in order to make ends meet. Michael is friends with Trevor Phillips who is also in his 40's. Trevor is an ex-assailant of Michael's and is now a drug addict. As an ex-military pilot, Trevor is a competent pilot, a skill which could come in handy as flying airplanes makes its long awaited debut in a GTA game.  Finally there is luxury car dealer, Franklin. Franklin is an acquaintance of Michael's although he does not know Trevor.  The interactions and relationships between the three main characters will need to be nurtured in order to get the best results which in turn, will make the game easier.

As the release date gets closer, more and more characters are being announced along with their relationship with the main characters. By reading the biographies of the additional cast members, you will be able to get an idea of possible storylines.

Grand Theft Auto V promises to be the biggest GTA game, not only in terms of hype but also in area. Currently, the biggest map in any GTA game was featured in GTA San Andreas but GTA V looks set to dwarf that map. Rockstar are reluctant to disclose any map data this far in advance of the release date but the City of Los Santos is predicted to be biggest map by some considerable distance. As well as the main city, GTA V is also predicted to have towns out in the country as well as remote military bases to name a few.

One of the main selling points of previous GTA games has been the way you can deviate away from the main storyline be completing sum-missions and mini games that do not directly affect the main story. Rockstar have decided to keep these side missions in GTA V and you can now partake in activities such as tennis and offroad motorcycling if you fancy a distraction.

With no demo expected prior to the release of GTA V, people will be speculating about the final features until the very last minute. Rockstar are now starting to give hints as to what will be in the final game via screenshots and trailers on their website.

One thing that has been confirmed is that GTA V will be available on the current generation of consoles. Gamers were getting slightly concerned that they would need to purchase either the PS4 or Xbox 720 in order to play GTA but these fears have been allayed by Rockstar which will appease gamers and also ensure Rockstar get the maximum return for their efforts.  Although it is not released until the final quarter of 2013, GTA V is set to steamroller the opposition and become the best selling game of the decade in its first few days on sale.

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