UK newspaper the Daily Star has been ordered to pay Games a substantial sum of money over their ridiculous Rothbury article.

Rockstar's lawyer Melanie Hart said: "The article alleged that the claimant was proposing to release a new version of its highly successful video game series which they claimed was to be entitled 'Grand Theft Auto Rothbury'. It was claimed that this new game would be based on the tragedy which culminated in the events at Rothbury in July 2010. The article was illustrated by an image which purported to be the cover of the new video game. The defendant solicited and published quotes from third parties, including one from a grieving relative of a victim of Mr Moat, in which the alleged plan to create such a game was described as 'sick' and deplored in the strongest terms. In a leader, the defendant commented that the people behind the production of the video game were 'questionable idiots' who were making money out of other people's misery."

Claire Kissin, lawyer for Express Newspapers who own the Daily Star said: "Express Newspapers Ltd accepts that the allegations made against Rockstar Games are untrue. The defendant apologises for the upset and damage caused."

The story, which was utterly false, was removed from the Daily Star's website within hours of being published with the newspaper publishing a formal apology.

Thanks MCV.

By Ewan Aiton