Rockstar Games finds itself in a familiar position this week. Just like in 2022, an unscrupulous hacker is leaking Grand Theft Auto 6 by posting a series of unauthorized video clips from Rockstar’s next big crime epic. Similar to the dozens of gameplay videos leaked four years ago, the newest leaks emerging from GTA 6 represent an unfinished game with out-of-context gameplay. While many fans are relishing a chance to see actual GTA 6 gameplay, Rockstar is understandably unhappy with how its game is being rolled out.
Grand Theft Auto publisher Take-Two Interactive is attempting to identify the leaker and to suppress unauthorized videos of GTA 6 gameplay. The publisher is attempting to subpoena Microsoft and Discord to learn more about who’s behind the “Cyberleek” persona that’s been aggressively leaking the game using an apparently playable PC build.
What has Rockstar said about the GTA 6 leaks?
While Rockstar Games hasn’t commented publicly on the leaks, parent company Take-Two has petitioned a federal court under the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, alleging copyright infringement. That lends legitimacy to the leaks.
Internally, Rockstar employees and managers are said to be angry about the leaks, according to a report from Bloomberg. Workers at Rockstar are said to be “feeling frustrated and exhausted,” in part because this is the second time this has happened. But Rockstar employees are reportedly also upset over the fact that security measures that were implemented after the first major GTA 6 leak — namely, eliminating any and all remote work — did not protect the game from leaking.
Rockstar brass has tried to boost morale in the wake of the leaks. According to Bloomberg, “One of the game’s top executives sent out an email to staff denouncing the leaker and promising that the incident wouldn’t detract from the excellent work they’ve done.”
The effect of the GTA 6 leaks will certainly be diminished later this week, when Rockstar Games and Netflix show off an extended look at the game. That preview event will assuredly show GTA 6 in the best light. “Grand Theft Auto 6: An Extended Look” is set to arrive on Thursday, Aug. 27. The trailer will premiere on Netflix at 3 p.m. EDT / 12 p.m. PDT, giving subscribers an early look at what’s to come in GTA 6. That extended look will show on YouTube later that day.
Grand Theft Auto 6 is coming to PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X on Nov. 19.
