The victim, 23, was knifed four times with an eight-inch hunting blade.

Hed made a rude remark to gamers outside the store just before the games midnight launch yesterday.

Stunned witnesses thought it was a STUNT laid on by the developers of the 18-rated game until cops arrived.

Marcus Henderson, 24, said: It was like a scene straight from the game itself.

Malcolm Critchell, 22 one of 100 people queuing outside Gamestation in Croydon, South London said: The victim was covered in *lo** and had cuts all over him and a huge gash on his back.

"I thought he was promoting the game. Then the police turned up.

The lad later left hospital refusing to make a complaint.

Meanwhile, muggers broke an 18-year-olds jaw and nose as they stole his £40 copy of the game in Leyland, Lancs.

GTA IV featuring casual violence and drug dealing sold out within hours of going on sale across the UK.