Hands down, the most anticipated game for 2013 has to be the long-awaited release of the latest open-world game from the team at Rockstar Games - Grand Theft Auto 5.

Hitting this coming Spring, there has been a shroud of secrecy around it for years, and Rockstar is finally ready to take it off.

In the December issue of Game Informer magazine, the first details were exclusively revealed.  A full 18 page article is in the issue, but we can share some information for you now.

The game features three separate protagonists, all of whom are on the cover (above).  You have Michael, a retired former bank robber living a life of privilege due to a deal with the FBI, Trevor, a longtime friend of Michael’s, who is psychotic, drugged out and violent, and finally, Franklin is a car thief.  You can switch each character to play out different missions and mini-games, and even choose to play as them in their relative downtime.

The in-game world is the largest Rockstar has programmed yet, the size of the worlds of GTA 4, GTA: San Andreas and Red Dead Revolver combined.  You can even explore the ocean floor!

Also of note - don’t expect any celebrity cameos. They’re focusing on creating characters, as opposed to you playing a game of “who is that I hear?”

For further information, pick up the December issue of Game Informer. It hits stands soon, and is available digitally now.

Grand Theft Auto V hits shelves for PS3 and 360 in Spring 2013.