GTA VI is one of the most hotly anticipated games in history, but Rockstar’s decision to not release a physical copy has hit a sore nerve among fans. Apparently, one of them is a talented hacker who somehow landed their hands on GTA VI gameplay and the entire map and decided to leak them. According to gaming creator NikTek on X, Cyberleek allegedly leaked the two clips and the entire map of Leonida as a protest against the publisher’s decision to sell pre-selling digital copies of the game. They said that they will not stop dropping leaks until the company issues a public apology and commits to doing better.
"No consumer shall pay for a game through digital storefronts before release and independent review. Physical preorders for tangible media remain permitted. Preorders were not created for gamers. They were created because physical discs had manufacturing limits. In digital distribution, there is no inventory. There is no stock shortage. A digital copy cannot sell out. Yet publishers kept the preorder system and stripped away its only consumer benefit. Now gamers pay early and receive nothing in return except a countdown timer and a cosmetic skin,” Cyberleek said on their website. “If publishers want revenue before launch, they can press discs. Print boxes. Put them on shelves. Earn that money through physical production."
Aside from this, Cyberleek has two other points in their manifesto: that publishers should not sell “fake” single-player DLCs that unlock content already included in the base game and that any title featuring single-player content must always be available, even when server support ends. These points are issues that many gamers are fighting for, especially as many companies focus on digital games and subscriptions over physical media and one-time purchases. One major example is Sony’s decision to cut physical media. This move has angered gamers, with many complaining that we no longer own the games we buy. Unfortunately, Rockstar is following in this trend — even though you can still physically buy GTA VI from retailers, these copies only contain a download code, not physical game discs you can insert into your console.
NikTek said in another X post that the leaked clips showed various gameplay details, including basketball games, vehicle loadouts, and openable and closable trunks. There’s also a stamina bar and an honor system similar to Red Dead Redemption 2. The map leak also showed details of the five counties, as well as revealing that there is a massive rail system and many tiny islands that players can explore. Another creator said that these leaked details are already over a year old, but Rockstar has been actively issuing DMCA takedowns against posts that showed these details, meaning these are likely clips of the real thing. After all, the base gameplay has likely already been completed, and the developers probably spent the last few months finalizing the game ahead of its November launch.
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Jowi Morales is a tech enthusiast with years of experience working in the industry. He’s been writing with several tech publications since 2021, where he’s been interested in tech hardware and consumer electronics.
You don't have to buy a preorder.Reply Now that most content is delivered digitally, the only way I'm buying a preorder is if it is sold at a discount .... I've seen this with some Steam games. And even then I have to be fairly confident the game is going to be good or it's better to just wait for reviews if I am paying full price.
There is no way GTA6 lives up to the hype. How many more times do gamers have to learn that AAA titles are always unfinished and buggy at launch? I'm going to wait and see how the game is before putting any time or money into it.Reply
Reply And I’ve just stopped buying off steam due to their anti consumer nonsensederekullo said:You don't have to buy a preorder. Now that most content is delivered digitally, the only way I'm buying a preorder is if it is sold at a discount .... I've seen this with some Steam games. And even then I have to be fairly confident the game is going to be good or it's better to just wait for reviews if I am paying full price.
Reply This is very clearly about activism and not scamming.TechieTwo said:Hacking is a good way to end up in jail.
Did you just see the word "hacker" and assume the only reason someone might break into computer systems is to scam people?
Essentially the entire modding scene runs counter to that premise. Most "hackers" are in it to make something they love better and to protest what they see as antisocial or immoral laws, not to make money. It's just that the ones making money or serving some nefarious state actor are the ones that usually make headlines.
Reply You're young and naive (or part of the scam).chaos215bar2 said:This is very clearly about activism and not scamming.
Every video they released has an overlay calling to buy their scamy cr*pto.
It's very much just a fraud, using GTA6 for promo, just like others hack social media accounts.
Reply I agree, 13 years in between games, people are going to have unrealistic expectations with the idea it's been in development for that long (it hasn't if leaks are to be believed)bigdragon said:There is no way GTA6 lives up to the hype. How many more times do gamers have to learn that AAA titles are always unfinished and buggy at launch? I'm going to wait and see how the game is before putting any time or money into it.