Games experiencing sudden delays is far from uncommon. In the space of time it took me to write that sentence, four RTS games were put on hold citing balancing issues, six console shooter were set back due to problems with control optimisation and at least three MMOs were postponed when they realised WoW was just to powerful to take on. However, this morning’s news of GTA IV’s release being unceremoniously pitched into 2008 really caught us off guard. It is also serious blow to the line-up of games for the Xmas period.

So what caused this the unexpected delay? Rockstar says it was 'development issues' and its 'level of commitment'. But our nasal hairs are tingling with the smell of cover-up, so we've put our crack team of conspiracy nuts on the case and they’ve come up with what could be (but probably isn’t) the TRUTH.