For those who have been following my blog, you know there is a character named Vlad Glebov in GTA IV. I made a crack about it here.

Today is the release day and its actually starting to be a bit of a phenomenon, big news if you into video games. I get stopped in the halls of my campus and get asked about the game on a regular basis now. Must have received a dozen Facebook wall posts before the game has even been released. Hmm… I wonder if Rockstars would send me a free copy of the game.

680 News: Video gamers line up for Grand Theft Auto release

Tuesday, April 29, 2008 - 08:18 AM
By: Momin Quresh

Toronto - The video game, Grand Theft Auto 4, was released Monday at midnight, adding another chapter to one of the world’s most popular gaming franchises.

It was one of the most anticipated video game releases of all time.

Fans around the city lined up outside stores to await the release of the sixth game in the Grand Theft Auto series.

Mary Ann McKenzie, Future Shop’s entertainment marketing manager, said this one could end up in the record books. “We anticipating this to be the biggest video game launch ever,” she said.

Last year’s release of Halo 3 currently stands as the biggest entertainment release of all time, making over $170 million in its first 24 hours in the U.S. alone.

The Grand Theft Auto series has been very controversial due to its graphic nature and violence.

It’s rated mature and all stores have stepped up security to ensure the game is not sold to anyone under 17-years-old.