Whether you’re a gamer or not, chances are you’ve heard of Grand Theft Auto. Since the original GTA was released in 1997, a string of sequels and spin-offs and a healthy dose of sex, drugs and violence have helped make GTA one of the most widely recognised video game franchises around.

And now, with the gaming world working itself into an almost sexual frenzy of anticipation ahead of the releases of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Battlefield 3, Rockstar have waltzed in and stolen the limelight.

So far, all we know for sure is that a trailer for GTA V will be released on 2nd November. The Rockstar Games homepage currently features nothing other than the image above, and the page title is simply #GTAV.

Their approach seems to be working – Twitter has been buzzing with discussion about the next instalment in the series, with one user suggesting Man City’s resident court jester Mario Balotelli would be the perfect protagonist for the game. Like GTA, he’s certainly no stranger to controversy, but frankly we’re not holding our breath for a new mission that sees you fending off rival gangsters by shooting fireworks out of a bathroom window.

Whilst none of the game’s details have been confirmed, there are plenty of rumours circulating, with varying levels of plausibility. It has been suggested that the GTA V will be set in LA, and Hollywood names including Robert De Niro have been mentioned as possible voice actors.

There are also rumours about the inclusion of characters such as a Welsh monk and a weed evangelist, and some reports suggest that the global financial crisis will provide the thematic backdrop for game.

Given that no release date has been announced, and no specific platforms have been referenced, there is also speculation that we might not get to play GTA V until Sony and Microsoft release the successors to the PS3 and Xbox 360. At the very earliest, we’re looking at a late 2012 release, but don’t count on it.

Where do you think the game should be set? Who would you like to see providing the voices? What else should they incorporate?

Share your thoughts, 8Ballers!