Microsoft hopes to draw gamers into pre-ordering the Xbox 360 version of what will inevitably be one of the biggest games of the year with the promise of free Microsoft Points for every pre-order.

The platform holder is offering 1600 MS Points free to gamers who pre-order Grand Theft Auto V for Xbox via the Microsoft Store website.
The offer is open to an undefined number of customers 'while supplies last' (via Kotaku).

Those who take the plunge will receive a redeemable code for their free points via email within 10 days of the game being shipped, and codes will be valid until December 31, 2013.

In January, Rockstar delayed the Grand Theft Auto 5 release date from spring 2013 to September 17. Explaining the move, it said: "The only reason we've delayed the release is because we want the game to be as good as it needs to be."

The publisher recently released the final GTA 5 box art.