The trailer for Grand Theft Auto V was released on Wednesday at 4pm and as you can imagine that's been more than enough time for the Internet to dissect it frame-by-frame. Not only has this turned up hints about in-game features but also a number of character cameos from the previous games.
One of the most intriguing suggestions, popularised by websites such as NeoGAF, is that the trailer actually includes confirmation of the release date. Take a look at the screenshot below through the eyes of a fan desperate for information and it says simply: 'For Sale 2405'.
In America the month comes before the day when talking about dates, but developer Rockstar North are British and we do it the other way round. So does that mean the game will be out on 24th? And if it does is that 24th May 2012?
That's certainly right in the same April/May period that most of Rockstar's games are usually released. And, perhaps not by coincidence, the song in the trailer - Ogdens' Nut Gone Flake by British band Small Face - was released as an LP on May 24, 1968.
The problem with this theory though is that May 24, 2012 is a Thursday and in America video games are normally released on a Tuesday. Of course exceptions can be made, especially for a game as big as this, but it would be unusual.
Grand Theft Auto V - is that really the release date on the pavement?
Most early speculation about the trailer though centred on who the main character is, with the assumption being it's the narrator who seems to be talking about retiring to Los Santos (the game's fictional version of Los Angeles). Opinions vary as to his accent and whether he's the same older looking guy from the image above and who also seems to be taking part in the jewellery store robbery in the trailer.
The alternative theory for the identity of the besuited man is Vice City protagonist Tommy Vercetti, although it's already been confirmed that the voice actor in the trailer isn't Ray Liotta. The homeless guy holding a sign also seems to have the same taste in clothing as Grand Theft Auto IV lead Niko Bellic, so are they one and the same? And is that San Andreas' CJ running from police towards the end?
Whether fans are reading too much into all this we'll have to wait and see but what can be discerned from the trailer is that the game seems to be set in the present day (or perhaps slightly beyond it, as in GTA 2) and that it contains new features such as animals, specifically pet dogs, and convertible cars.
The large mountain and numerous shots of the countryside are also clear signs that the game won't just be set in the city - although whether there are other large cities to explore outside of Los Santos, as there was in San Andreas, is perhaps the biggest outstanding question about the game.
The numerous references to body-building may also hint that the pseudo role-playing elements from San Andreas are returning, while the buying - and foreclosing - of homes suggests that you'll also be able to acquire property again.
Officially Rockstar hasn't said a single thing about the game. Despite the trailer they've not released any press release and we have no idea when they'll reveal more information. Until then feel free to speculate some more in the comments section and by writing into the Inbox.
