Apparently, copies of Grand Theft Auto 4 have somehow made their way onto peer to peer networks, with what looks like the Xbox 360 full version available for download.  It is currently at number one in a number of pirate charts, in a move that could well have a negative impact on sales.

Files that are thought to be the game have been posted online, with the theory being that they could be burned onto a DVD and then (with a little modification) played on an Xbox 360 just as the full-price retail version will be.  Rockstar has declined to comment at this stage - something I find surprising if is the real thing.

Although some comments have been positive (in the form of the download seemingly working and being relatively free of bugs), others have been negative, stating that it’s not in the spirit of fair play or even enjoyment to have the game so early.  Naturally this may also upset some who find spoilers on the net without expecting them.

Microsoft has came out and stated that user accounts could be banned if trying to play the game before it is available in the shops - so pirates might not get away so easily.  Take 2 Games (Rockstar’s parent company) has also made moves to have videos of the game removed from YouTube and other video sites.

Grand Theft Auto IV is expected to be one of the best selling video games of all time when it goes on release on 29th April.  To avoid just such a leak, journalists were actually invited to Rockstar Games rather than being sent copies.  Even with this leak, I don’t feel that the impending release of the game will be damaged - it will still be a media circus come next Friday…