The hacker group known as CyberLeek has once again shaken up the gaming community. With the release of Grand Theft Auto VI just around the corner (scheduled for November 19th), several unedited gameplay videos and a purported complete map of the game have surfaced. The material isn't new, but its origin isn't a simple file leak: according to the authors, it's a direct response to Rockstar Games and Take-Two Interactive's policy of selling the physical edition as code, without a disc.
This isn't the first time something like this has happened. In 2022, over 90 clips of an early version were leaked, but the difference now is that the leaker is promoting their own digital currency and has contacted brands to monetize the content . Although Rockstar has filed copyright claims and the links have been removed, the videos are already circulating on social media platforms like X, Discord, and Reddit, and some have already been confirmed as authentic.
More than videos: access to a playable executable
The most worrying development for the studio has been the latest video shared by CyberLeek. It shows the protagonist, Jason, flying over Vava City in a small plane, then landing to use an assault rifle. By firing at a building facade, he manages to spell out the name "Leek ," suggesting he is actively playing the game, and not just rummaging through internal materials. Several reports agree that the group has a playable build in its possession, although it's unclear whether it's a press demo or a fragment of a development version dated 2023.
The reaction from fans was swift: while some applauded these revelations, believing they expose Rockstar's business strategy, others pointed out that the cost of these leaks was too high. Last week, Take-Two's stock plummeted a record two days , losing nearly $2.800 billion in market capitalization. Although this drop isn't solely due to the leaks (the company was already experiencing a downward trend), the move coincided with the release of the clips and has heightened fears that a player could gain full access to the game before its official launch date.
The strategy of silence is faltering
To make matters worse, this whole scandal erupted a week before the event Rockstar had planned on Netflix to officially showcase an extended gameplay preview, scheduled for August 27th. The company has declined to comment publicly and has simply issued legal notices to remove the content, a rather unsubtle way of confirming that the leaks are not a viral marketing ploy. For those awaiting the release, there are better GTA-style games for Android that can serve as an alternative in the meantime.
Journalist Jason Schreier has reported that Rockstar has yet to locate either the person responsible for or the source of the leak within its infrastructure. This partly explains why they are trying to quell the controversy with intellectual property laws, without success. According to sources close to the studio, morale has plummeted, although other well-known figures in development, such as Obbe Vermeij, have downplayed the issue, stating that the news will be forgotten and that GTA will continue to sell for another 15 years.
Amid the scandal, CyberLeek has warned that they have no intention of negotiating . The group demands the removal of digital pre-orders, the elimination of charges for DLC content already included in the game, and the continued functionality of single-player titles even if servers are shut down. They have gone further: if a major publisher does not correct these practices, they could launch similar attacks against other large studios. This radical stance has garnered both support and opposition, but it demonstrates the extent of discontent with digital licensing policies, highlighting the continued vitality of physical media compared to digital.
Malware risk and impact on launch
The problem doesn't end with the leaks. Links promising access to the full build of GTA 6 are circulating on forums and download sites, but some of these sources are not only deceptive, they also contain malware that can damage the computer of anyone who downloads them . No official service has published or confirmed this build as accessible, and experts recommend not even trying it.
Meanwhile, investors remain vigilant: although Take-Two's stock has recovered some of its losses, there is still an outstanding loss of approximately $1.500 billion. The GTA 6 launch remains arguably the most important in the industry , but these events have opened a new front regarding information control and trust among fans. We'll see if Rockstar can make a splash with the Netflix event and whether CyberLeek will hold off or risk further leaks.
