Het zat er wel aan te komen dat het ergens ter wereld fout moest gaan met de nachtelijke launch van Grand Theft Auto. Zo is er in Londen een jongen neergestoken en beroofd van game en zijn boodschappen.... het moet eigenlijk niet gekker worden. De vermoedelijke dader luistert waarschijnlijk naar Trevor, ok dat laatste heb ik verzonnen.

The 23-year-old was attacked as he made his way home from a supermarket in the early hours of this morning.

He had been to the Asda superstore in Colindale, North West London, which had opened late for the worldwide release of the fifth version of the notoriously violent game at midnight.

A Scotland Yard spokesman said: "We were called at 1.20am to Princes Avenue, Colindale. A 23-year-old man was shopping, then on his way back home he was hit with a brick and stabbed.

"He was robbed of items he had bought from a nearby Asda supermarket, including a copy of Grand Theft Auto."

Police believe the attack was carried out by multiple suspects but said it remained unclear how many were responsible.

The victim was taken to a north London hospital, where he was in a stable condition this morning.

Detectives have asked witnesses to contact Crimestoppers with any information on the attack.

Twitter users meanwhile expressed their shock at the violent mugging, with one writing, "It's just a game".

The release of Grand Theft Auto V was expected to break sales records after hitting the shelves today.

Amazon, the online retailer, has already sold out of the game, which reportedly cost around £170 million to make and market.

Experts estimate it could generate £1 billion during its first year on sale when gamers are predicted to buy some 25 million copies.

Kevin McFeely, from the GAME store, said the company opened as many branches as it could last night.

GTA V has received rave reviews from critics across the board, who have labelled it "one of the very best video games ever made".