The briefing
Published 30 October 2012. This archival report describes the announcement and offers of that period; temporary rewards do not remain active indefinitely.
The October 30, 2012 announcement targeted spring 2013 for PS3 and Xbox 360. Rockstar also said general pre-orders would open on November 5, 2012, with more information planned for the following month.
The setting was a contemporary reinterpretation of Southern California centered on Los Santos and its surrounding countryside. This timing record precedes the January announcement of the final September 17 release date. Keeping the original target visible is useful when reading period previews or examining old promotional packaging, because those materials can accurately reflect a plan that later changed. It does not mean spring 2013 remained an additional release window or that later ports shared the same timetable.
Sources & further reading
Read the game and edition listed in the facts panel before applying gameplay advice. Story outcomes are marked as spoilers. Read our corrections policy.