Rockstar finally dates Grand Theft Auto IV release

Rockstar Games has finally set a date for the release of one of the year's most anticipated software releases.

Grand Theft Auto IV will be released worldwide on April 29 for the PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.

"We are so excited to be releasing Grand Theft Auto IV," commented Sam Houser, founder and executive producer of Rockstar Games.

"We've pushed ourselves very hard to make something incredible and hope the game sets a new benchmark for interactive entertainment."

The date is later than some internet sites had speculated, and comes just within parent company Take-Two's end of financial year.

It also misses the crucial easter sales, considered one of the first big retail periods of the year.