The worst kept secret has now been confirmed by Rockstar, who have officially announced that Grand Theft Auto V is expected to launch worldwide during spring 2013 [March to May].

Developed by series creator Rockstar North,  the official blurb says Grand Theft Auto V is the “largest and most ambitious title in the series to date.”

“Set in the sprawling city of Los Santos and the surrounding area,  Grand Theft Auto V delivers a world of unprecedented scale and detail bursting with life, from mountaintops to the depths of the ocean,” reads the press release.

“Grand Theft Auto V builds on everything we’ve learned about open world game design,” said Sam Houser, Founder of Rockstar Games. “We can’t wait to share it with fans.”

Grand Theft Auto V will be available for pre-order from early November.