Man stabbed queueing for midnight launch of ultra-violent video game Grand Theft Auto IV

Shoppers thought they were witnessing a promotional stunt for the launch when the blood-soaked victim staggered among them.

They realised the attack was genuine only when police arrived.

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It took place outside the Gamestation store in Croydon, South London, one of 40 stores which opened at midnight to sell the new game.

Elsewhere, two muggers shattered the jaw and nose of an 18-year-old boy to steal his copy of the game just 30 minutes after he bought it in Leyland, Lancashire.

The violence intensified a chorus of criticism aimed at the British-designed game, the latest in a hugely controversial series.

Massive industry hype has surrounded its technological advances and stunning graphics and it is forecast to break records by selling six million copies in its first week.

But the content is unadulterated violence. Players assume the identity of Niko Bellic, a shaven-headed veteran of the Bosnian conflict who arrives in 'Liberty City' as a gangland novice.

He makes progress by killing people to order, robbing banks and dealing drugs with the help of an almost inexhaustible arsenal.

The game has been give an 18 certification from the British Board of Film Classification but critics fear it will inevitably be played by much younger people.

The series has sold an estimated 70million copies since its launch in 1997, but has been shrouded in controversy.

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Last year teenager Ezekiel Maxwell butchered a grandmother after hearing "gangster voices" in his head from an earlier version of the game telling him to stab a woman.

Yesterday, as police issued an appeal to find the Croydon attacker, witnesses described what happened.

Malcolm Critchell, queueing with his nephew Jordan, said: "The victim was covered from shoulder to belly in blood. Everyone thought it was a show to promote the game."

Despite his wounds, the 23-year-old victim is believed to have gone home to arm himself with a kitchen knife to seek revenge, but police intercepted him.

He was treated in hospital for several stab wounds.

Another queuer, Marcus Henderson, 24, said: "It was a scene straight from the game itself. In Grand Theft Auto, when you attack someone but don't finish them off they'll come and get you. We thought it was a stunt put on by the makers of the game."

MP Keith Vaz said of the video game: "This kind of violence should be deplored. It's highly likely that younger children are going to get access to this game.

"A young person's mind is impressionable and the interactive violence of Grand Theft Auto is going to have an impact on them."