Grand Theft Auto, or GTA, is one of the most popular franchises known to man and console, and with publisher Rockstar Games having already dropped a couple of beautiful screenshots of the upcoming GTA V, fans of the series are increasingly anxious for news regarding availability.

We’ve received a tip-off from a Future Shop customer who may’ve inadvertently stumbled across the release date of the eagerly-awaited title. Having purchased a copy of Max Payne 3, our tipster received a special offer on his receipt promising $20 off his purchase of GTA V. That, in itself, isn’t particularly significant, for both games are published by Rockstar Games, but the time frame for when the offer can be redeemed is certainly noteworthy.

On the receipt, the following information is printed:

With this receipt, you are eligible for a $20 gaming credit towards Grand Theft Auto V. Offer valid February 1st, 2013 – May 31st, 2013

This could suggest the title will be hitting stores on 1st February next year, and although we’ve heard many predictions as to when the title will be arriving, this is perhaps the first piece of evidence we’ve seen.

The redemption period is somewhat vague, meaning the title could release anytime within the four month allowance, and with so much work having gone into the making of GTA V, Rockstar will strive to ensure everything is perfect, so delays would seem rather probable.

The series has come under scrutiny in the past from critics, many of whom see the level of violence within the various iterations of GTA to be over-the-top and unnecessary. The notoriety it has accumulated over the years has helped it push impressive numbers though, and Grand Theft Auto V is easily the most anticipated since San Andreas dropped several years ago.

It’s certainly plausible GTA V could arrive late January – early February, and with the post-holiday season sales allowing many gamers to grab an Xbox 360 or PlayStation 3 for cheaper than usual, the foundations will have been perfectly laid for the big release.

We’ll keep you updated should we learn any more with regards to Grand Theft Auto V, so stay tuned to our coverage here at Redmond Pie.

Thanks, Kurtis for the hat tip!

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