Employers warned to watch out for outbreak of 'GTA flu'
Health professionals are warning bosses around the country to be on the alert tomorrow for an expected outbreak of a debilitating disease known as 'GTA flu'.
The illness is characterised by the sudden onset of vague, flu-type symptoms including theatrical coughing, exagerrated sniffles and 'a fierce sore throat'.
As the illness develops, sufferers may develop bags under their eyes, strained thumbs and index fingers and a persistant shaking brought on excess sugar, caffeine and Pringles.
The good news is that it is only expected to last a couple of days.
Yep, tomorrow sees the eagerly-anticipated release of Grand Theft Auto V, the latest addition to the iconic series by Rockstar Games.
The much-hyped game, which reportedly cost more than €130m to make and market (that's a bigger budget than most Hollywood blockbusters), is available to buy from midnight with many stories opening their doors for special launch night events.
Most industry experts are tipping the game to smash sales records, with some breathlessly predicting old-school "queues around the block".
Others, meanwhile, went even further.
Tom Butler, social media editor of gaming site IGN.com, said thousands of workers have taken the day off for the launch or plan on calling in sick.
“Grand Theft Auto V will be the biggest entertainment launch of the year and possibly all-time with levels of consumer anticipation outstripping Harry Potter and Twilight,” he said.
“With gamers queuing at midnight to be among the first to play and the developer boasting thousands of hours of game play, there’s no surprise that we’re likely to see an outbreak of GTA flu this September.”
He might well be right…
Tomorrow is 'National Phone in Sick Day' or as they call it the industry 'GTA Release Day'.
— Wesley Copeland (@Wesley_Copeland) September 16, 2013
The gaming site polled 10,995 readers to ask whether they would take time off work tomorrow when GTA V goes on sale.
According to its findings, 5,059 readers (46%) said they booked the day off as holiday.
Another 2012 (19%) said they would phone in claiming to be unwell while 3,884 (35%) said they would wait to get their hands on the game.
Anyone else calling in sick from work when GTA V comes out?
— Goten (@GotenOnline) September 8, 2013
The GTA series has accumulated sales of 135 million copies since its 1997 debut. GTA IV has reportedly sold more than 25 million copies since its 2008 release.
The latest instalment is predicted to comfortably exceed this, with estimates suggesting it could generate sales over over €1.2bn during its first year, when gamers are predicted to snap up some 25 million copies.
Fans are expected to be queuing around the block tonight to get their hands on one of the most eagerly anticipated computer game releases of the year.
