1,000 in midnight queue for Grand Theft Auto V in Telford and Shrewsbury

Grand Theft Auto V cost £170 million to develop, making it the most expensive computer game ever. But it is likely to make a massive profit with millions of sales worldwide.

Those embarking on a late night in Telford's shopping centre last night said they couldn't wait to take it home and try it out.

Some 800 gamers queued around the block for more than four hours.

Telford shopping centre eventually opened its Southwater doors slightly early at 11.30pm and customers lined the inside of the shopping centre after some gamers had pre-ordered their copy more than a year in advance.

Fans handed over between £45 for a standard copy of the game or £120 for a collector's edition.

First in line was Kyle Field, 18, from Telford, who arrived at the shopping centre at 8.30pm and was awarded a certificate from the store for being the first there.

The Asda worker, who was allowed into the store 30 minutes before the official sale time of midnight, said: "I pre-ordered my copy in October of last year. I am the biggest fan of this game, it is 10/10 and I am buzzing to be here."

Telford Game store manager Steve Williamson said: "Our staff couldn't be more excited. This is about more than just a game, this is a community of players."

Up to 300 computer game fans also queued at the Game store in Shrewsbury's Pride Hill. Gamers queued all the way down Pride Hill past McDonald's to get their hands on a copy.

A queue of up to 300 people stretched down Pride Hill in Shrewsbury as gamers waited for hours to get their hands on a copy at a special midnight opening. Business remained brisk this morning, with lengthy queues inside the story to buy the game.

Store manager Paul Haddon said it was one of the largest game launches in the history of the shop.

"The queue was past McDonald's. It was definitely bigger than for Call of Duty," he said. "For that, we were probably looking at 150 to 200 people."

The fifth in the series, the game has an age restriction of 18 and has come under fierce criticism in the past for the violence and crime it portrays. But after almost a five-year wait, the most expensive video game in history is now in stores worldwide.

Despite the age restriction, a number of younger gamers lined up with parents.

Female gamer Cam Thompson, 14, from Much Wenlock was in the queue in Telford with her father John Furniss.

Cam said: "It is not just a boys' game, anyone can play. I am so excited, I like playing it with my mates.

Mr Furniss said: "Cam has been so excited by it. It is what she likes but she won't play it before school. I know part of it is graphic but she is a sensible girl and, sadly, it shows the world we live in."

Mum Caroline Carson, 41, was with her son, James Carson, 16. They had travelled from Market Drayton and, as mum Caroline enjoys video games, she suggested the midnight launch to her teenage son. When asked about the age 18 restriction she said: " It is about using parental discretion."

James added: "I was really angry when they postponed the release in spring but it will be the best game of the year."

Lee Bainbridge, 26 from Hadley described it as a "classic game" saying he would spend his day off playing it, while Tim Thompson, 30 from Stirchley said: "This is my first midnight launch but, because of how big the release is, I wanted to be here and get my copy tonight."

The majority of the crowd were male but sisters Amy Fletcher, 23, and her 24-year-old sister Lucy 24, were there as a favour.

Amy, from Brookside said: " We are collecting copies for our boyfriends because they have to be up early tomorrow."

Lucy added: "It will keep my boyfriend quiet for a few weeks and I get some brownie points for not only collecting it but paying for it too."

As customers continued to pour into the store, manager Steve Williamson said the game had received 10/10 reviews worldwide. Mr Williamson said: "People will have annual leave booked for tomorrow to play this game. Today is Christmas day for gamers."

Staff were last night working at the store until all customers has been served and were open again today at 7am.

Mr Williamson had nine members of staff ready to cope with the demand, who "couldn't be more excited".

He said: "In terms of pre orders this is our biggest ever release and we made sure we have more than enough copies to cope with the number of sales expected. Our staff couldn't be more excited."The shopping centre have been fantastic, they have really backed us and we are pleased they have helped us build a gaming community."

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• Star comment: Gamers get in on the action