Take-Two Takes Action Against GTA VI Leaker

The hunt for the Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA VI) leaker has taken a new turn as Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of Rockstar Games, has filed two petitions for subpoenas in the Southern District of New York. The company is seeking information from Microsoft and Discord that may be linked to the leak.

Source: engadget.com

According to a report by Kotaku, Take-Two is searching for the individual or group responsible for leaking footage of GTA VI, which is set to be released in November. The company has identified several Discord accounts and servers that it believes may be connected to the leak.

One of the accounts in question is a GitHub repository that allegedly hosted Take-Two’s copyrighted material, including audiovisual content, artwork, images, dialogue, or other creative elements. Take-Two is asking Microsoft to hand over business records and investigative records associated with Microsoft’s internal investigation of the ‘cyberleek’ persona.

The company is also seeking information from Discord, including identifying information related to several accounts and servers. These include Discord users CYBERLEEK, CINEMATICROCKSTAR, and Surfer24k, as well as a Discord server run by GTA V content creator DarkViperAU and another server called !Odyssey.

Kotaku reports that Take-Two is asking for all identifying information related to the accounts, including their full names, phone numbers, any accounts they’ve linked to, and any content they’ve shared related to Grand Theft Auto, Rockstar, or Cyberleek.

This is not the first time GTA VI has leaked. In 2022, footage of the game was shared by an 18-year-old member of the hacking group Lapsus$. After a mental health assessment determined the hacker was unable to stand trial and that he intended to return to cybercrime if he was released, a judge sentenced him to an indefinite hospital order.

Before the footage spread online, Take-Two and Rockstar planned to offer an ‘extended look’ at GTA VI through an exclusive streaming deal with Netflix on August 27. However, the leak has put a damper on these plans, and it remains to be seen how the company will proceed with the game’s release.

The leak has sparked widespread discussion in the gaming community, with many expressing their disappointment and frustration at the premature release of the game’s footage. Take-Two’s actions in seeking out the leaker are seen as a necessary step in protecting its intellectual property and ensuring the integrity of the game’s release.

A History of Leaks

The GTA VI leak is just the latest in a long line of high-profile leaks in the gaming industry. In recent years, we’ve seen leaks of major games such as Cyberpunk 2077 and The Last of Us Part II, which have all had significant consequences for the companies involved.

Take-Two’s actions in seeking out the GTA VI leaker are a clear indication of the company’s commitment to protecting its intellectual property. As the gaming industry continues to evolve and grow, it’s likely that we’ll see more and more high-profile leaks in the future.