On paper, there’s no delay, but don’t expect to get your copy of Grand Theft Auto 5 on the first day if you live in the UK. Rockstar has told UK retailers like GAME to honor the initially scheduled September 16 dispatch date.
Rockstar emailed retailers, as GAME explained, in the hopes that copies do not go out to customers in advance of its actual scheduled September 17 release date. GAME confirmed that they and other reputable retailers will honor Rockstar’s request.
Rockstar has been working very hard to control potential leaks and spoiler of Grand Theft Auto 5, even as they work to share information with the media in increments. The company expressed disappointment last August when Sony accidentally leaked some audio to fans when facilitating preorders for the game on their Playstation Store.
If you were lucky or unlucky enough to have found out about the leaks, yes, part of the ending for Grand Theft Auto was spoiled with that content. Sony publicly apologized to Rockstar for the gaffe and had the preorder filed pulled from the Playstation Store.
Rockstar takes leaks of Grand Theft Auto games more seriously than other companies do their own breadwinners, partly because they take years to make iterations. While some would say the series has been quickly overtaken by Saints Row and other competitors, for hardcore fans, it still matters to them that they get to experience the game spoiler free, and these are the people Rockstar are trying to protect.