GTA 5 for PC Release Date, Delayed Again

GTA 5, or Grand Theft Auto V, an open-world action-adventure video game developed by Rockstar North and published by Rockstar Games was released on September 17, 2013, for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 platforms and on November 18, 2014, for the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. An enhanced version for Microsoft Windows PC was initially scheduled to ship in Fall 2014, or at about the same time as the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One editions, but was reset for late January. Now, the release date for the GTA 5 PC version has been re-scheduled again for March 24.

"Our apologies for the slight shift in the date but the game requires a few extra weeks of testing and polish to make it as good as can be," Rockstar Games said. "Moving a release date is never a decision we take lightly and is a choice we make only when we know it is in the best interests of the game and our fans. Thanks everyone for your understanding and we assure you these few extra weeks will be worth it when the game does arrive in March."

Like the PlayStation 4 and Xbox One editions, the GTA Online for PC will support up to 30 players, will launch alongside GTAV for PC and will include GTA Online Heists. However, the Online Heists for the game console versions will be launching in the coming weeks, again ahead of the PC launch, according to the game publisher.

For the upcoming GTA 5 for PC, the minimum hardware specifications set by the Rockstar are as follows:

• OS: Windows 8.1 64 Bit, Windows 8 64 Bit, Windows 7 64 Bit Service Pack 1, Windows Vista 64 • Bit Service Pack 2* (*NVIDIA video card recommended if running Vista OS)
• Processor: Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q6600 @ 2.40GHz (4 CPUs) / AMD Phenom 9850 Quad-Core processor (4 CPUs) @ 2.5GHz
• Memory: 4GB
• Video Card: NVIDIA 9800 GT 1GB / AMD HD 4870 1GB (DX 10, 10.1, 11)
• Sound Card: 100% DirectX 10 compatible
• HDD Space: 65GB
• DVD Drive

The recommended specifications for an optimal gaming experience are as follows:

• OS: Windows 8.1 64 Bit, Windows 8 64 Bit, Windows 7 64 Bit Service Pack 1
• Processor: Intel Core i5 3470 @ 3.2GHZ (4 CPUs) / AMD X8 FX-8350 @ 4GHZ (8 CPUs)
• Memory: 8GB
• Video Card: NVIDIA GTX 660 2GB / AMD HD7870 2GB
• Sound Card: 100% DirectX 10 compatible
• HDD Space: 65GB
• DVD Drive

Other PC spec requirements mentioned by Rockstar include having DirectX, Chromium, and Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 sp1 Redistributable Package, and authentication software that recognizes certain hardware attributes for entitlement, digital rights management, system, and other support purposes.