GTA 6's Newest Gameplay Leak Drama Has Turned Ugly

Grand Theft Auto 6 has suffered a number of leaks over the years, but none have been quite like the one that transpired this weke. This time, a hacking activist group called Cyberleek claimed it was sharing unauthorized gameplay clips of Rockstar Games' open-world action game to protest the title's lack of physical discs. A day later, the alleged protest against GTA 6 continued — but so has the fallout.

On Tuesday, Cyberleek shared two short gameplay clips of GTA 6 that depicted previously unseen elements, like melee combat and the return of the six-star Wanted system. Both clips directed viewers to Cyberleek's official website, where the hacking group published a manifesto against Rockstar and GTA 6 publisher Take-Two. The website spoke out against Take-Two's decision to publish GTA 6 without a physical disc, and expressed worry over the long-term future of digital game distribution. The hackers also voiced displeasure with GTA 6's $100 Ultimate Edition, which contains exclusive cosmetics and in-game shops. The group concluded its message by threatening to release more clips if Take-Two did not change its release plans.

By Wednesday morning, Cyberleek made good on those threats by publishing a new two-minute GTA 6 gameplay clip. In it, game co-star Jason can be seen tasing a group of people in a restricted area. The clip is watermarked with a tagline that reads, "No physical discs? Then more leeks!" [sic]. Later that same day, the hackers published a fourth clip where Jason stabs a police man to death.

As the leaks continue, groups like Stop Killing Games — which advocate for legal protections for digital games when publishers shut off support — have tried distancing themselves from the hacking group. Despite similar overarching aims, a representative from Stop Killing Games reminded GTA 6 fans on social media that the hacking group was doing something illegal. A statement from SKG on Reddit also pointed out that Cyberleek was using its crusade to advertise cryptocurrency and a sketchy meme coin.

"This kind of act is destructive and helps no one, worse, it risks tarnishing the reputation of our communities and our chances to make change," the statement reads.

Take-Two, for its part, has spent the last day pulling the leaked footage anywhere it has been uploaded. This hasn't stopped people from sharing the content, and in turn, debating its contents. As Kotaku points out, evidence suggests that all the footage shared by Cyberleek is at least a year old, if not older. The final game is likely to resemble much of what has been leaked already, but depending on its age, what ships on Nov. 19 may differ significantly.

This is worth pointing out because, for some, the leaked gameplay footage has proved disappointing. Other fans fear that the footage may signal a graphical downgrade of the game — but that notion isn't helped by the progressive loss of quality with every re-recording and upload. The leaked gameplay also wasn't curated to impress. What Rockstar and Netflix showcase during the streamer's extended look at the open-world game will probably be a better indicator of what GTA 6 will actually be like.

If Cyberleek fears Take-Two's wrath, the hacking group isn't letting on. The last clip shared by the cyber vigilantes mostly shows errant gameplay until the end, when the clip turns into an in-game cutscene with a thinly-veiled barbed message aimed at the publisher.

In it, Jason proposes a toast. "Enjoy your life till the men in suits decide to finally shut you the fuck up," Jason tells Cal Hampton, a GTA 6 supporting character, infamous for his belief in conspiracy theories.

"They don't know nothing about me, man," Hampton responds. "I use a VPN!"