The wait for GTA 6 has been a rollercoaster ride. Just a few months before its release, the Rockstar Games title has suffered another massive leak . A group calling itself Cyberleek has posted several videos on social media featuring previously unseen gameplay footage, showcasing aspects that the company hadn't yet officially revealed. This leak comes just as the studio was preparing to show the game in motion for the first time at a special event on Netflix.
The situation has prompted an immediate response from Take-Two, Rockstar's parent company. According to Kotaku, the company has filed several subpoenas in a New York federal court to compel Microsoft and Discord to hand over information about the accounts linked to the leak. This action aims to identify those responsible, although their identities are currently unknown.
What has leaked?
The leaked videos, which last only a few minutes, show one of the protagonists, Jason, performing various activities. The map of Leonida, a fictional version of South Florida with a large city inspired by Miami, is visible. Mechanics such as the ability to shoot basketballs are also shown , suggesting role-playing elements . Furthermore, in one of the clips, Jason shoots a wall, forming the word "Leek," leading some to believe that the leakers have access to a playable version of the game.
Rockstar and Take-Two's response
So far, neither Rockstar nor Take-Two has issued an official statement regarding the leak. However, they have begun removing the videos from the internet with copyright notices. In addition, Take-Two has requested that Microsoft and Discord disclose the data of the affected accounts, including emails, IP addresses, and phone numbers. According to journalist Stephen Totilo, a judge has granted the subpoena , which will allow the company to obtain this information.
The unrest at Rockstar
The leak has caused deep unease among Rockstar employees. According to journalist Jason Schreier in Bloomberg, many workers are frustrated because the company had implemented strict security measures after the 2022 hack, such as requiring employees to return to the office five days a week and prohibiting access to work tools from home. Despite these measures, the breach has occurred again. A senior executive sent an internal email admitting that "this is a real bummer" and attempted to boost team morale.
Cyberleek's motivations
Cyberleek has published a manifesto criticizing industry practices such as digital pre-orders, DLC, and server shutdowns. The group demands that publishers ban digital pre-orders, stop charging for pre-release content, and ensure that single-player games remain playable offline. Furthermore, the leaked videos include QR code watermarks and the promotion of a memecoin, suggesting a financial motive. According to PC Gamer, the memecoin has reached a market capitalization of $10 million.
the immediate future
Despite the leak, Rockstar has no plans to postpone the Netflix event, where the first official gameplay footage will be shown on August 27. According to Schreier, the company is sticking to its marketing strategy. The game will launch on November 19 for PS5 and Xbox Series X|S, and the PC version has not yet been released . GTA 6 is expected to be one of the most successful launches in history, following in the footsteps of GTA V, which has sold over 220 million copies.
The GTA 6 leak has highlighted Rockstar's vulnerability and sparked a debate about security policies and industry practices. While Take-Two intensifies its legal efforts to identify those responsible, gamers eagerly await the Netflix event. Although the incident has been a major blow to the team's morale, all indications are that the game's release will proceed as planned. The question now is whether Cyberleek will continue to publish more material and whether the security measures will be sufficient to prevent future leaks.
