GTA 5: Grand Theft Auto 5 PC Release Pegged For Early 2014, Gamers Sign Online Petition

"Grand Theft Auto 5" may not remain console-exclusive for long, as a number of reports have emerged that a PC version of the wildly popular game is expected to be released early next year.

"GTA 5," which is currently available for both PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360, will mirror the release plan for its predecessor, "GTA 4," and will arrive on the PC platform in the first quarter of 2014. "GTA 4" was released on the consoles on April 29, 2008, while the PC version of the game came out that December, Eurogamer noted.

Rockstar Games has not yet confirmed anything about the release of the PC version of "GTA 5," but the rumors come shortly after Chris Silva, director of marketing for Intel's premium notebooks, told PC Gamer that "GTA 5" may be released for the PCs sooner rather than later.

"I don't think it'll be console-exclusive very long. But that's what happens when you have a brand new launch with two companies that have lots of money trying to make sure they have content," Silva said. "Somebody paid a lot of money to make sure that title was exclusive."

In August, Chris Evenden, senior director of investor relations at Nvidia, mentioned a PC version of "GTA 5" during a financial call, saying: "[PC] gamers are preparing their systems for a strong roster of games coming this fall, including blockbuster franchises such as 'Call of Duty: Ghosts,' 'Grand Theft Auto 5' and 'Assassin's Creed 4.'"

However, he later said that the comment was made in error and that Nvidia had no clue to when "GTA 5" would be coming to the PC.

Meanwhile, nearly 600,000 people have signed an online petition asking Rockstar to release "GTA 5" to the PC. It reads:

"Please release GTA V on PC. GTA games have been a large part of so many people's lives and it's a big shame not seeing the newest iteration of the game being released on the most powerful platform. Things like modifications have always been a HUGE part of PC gaming and modded GTA is some of the most insanely fun times you can have."

According to a report from The Guardian, no matter when the PC edition of "GTA 5" is released, it should be worth the wait as it is expected to feature a number of improvements.

In 2008, the PC version of "GTA 4" included many improvements, such as doubling the number of players in online games to 32 and adding customizable radio stations, the report noted.