'Grand Theft Auto IV' release date announced

One of the most anticipated games of 2008 has been given a firm release date. Take-Two Interactive has issued a statement saying that Rockstar North's Grand Theft Auto IV will be released simultaneously for the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, worldwide, on 29 April.

The game had been set for a 2007 release -- the delay to 2008 was blamed on the "time-intensive nature" of the dual-platform development. A release date of 25 April had previously been rumoured for the UK.

The latest iteration of Grand Theft Auto follows the adventures of new character Nikolai Bellic as he searches Liberty City for an as-yet-unnamed person from his past. The release, which some analysts see as having the potential to out-sell Halo 3, could provide a major boost for Rockstar's parent company Take-Two Interactive, which has struggled financially over recent quarters.