 The game was first announced by Rockstar Games on 25 October 2011 . They released its debut trailer one week later , with an official press release acknowledging its setting . Journalists noted that the announcement ignited widespread anticipation within the gaming industry , which they owed to the cultural significance of the series . The game missed its original projected Q2 2013 release date , pushed back to 17 September to allow for further polishing . To spur pre @-@ order game sales , Rockstar collaborated with several retail outlets to make a special edition with extra in @-@ game features . They ran a viral marketing strategy with a website for a fictional religious cult , " The Epsilon Program " , that offered users the chance to feature in the game as members of the cult . 
