2023 has proven to be a challenging year for Rockstar Games, perhaps much more so than last year when Grand Theft Auto VI was leaked online. The reason? The ongoing saga of the Grand Theft Auto 5 leak. This significant data breach, revealed not long after Insomniac Games’ own unfortunate incident, exposed the best-selling game’s source code while revealing a trove of information about other Rockstar projects, including Agent, Bully 2, and so much more. The extent and impact of these leaks have brought to light both the vulnerabilities in game development and the far-reaching consequences of such security breaches.
The leak, which first emerged on Christmas Eve, quickly spread across various online platforms, including Discord and a handful of other “dark” websites.
Initially shared via Telegram on a GTA leak channel, the controversial set of files contained GTA 5’s source code and the aforementioned insights into other Rockstar titles. This included Bully 2 files, details about Midnight Club 5, an earlier version of the GTA 5 map, and even a Python script. The most alarming aspect, however, was the exposure of Rockstar employees’ company email addresses.
At the heart of this debacle is “Phil”, a hacker from the South America-based Lapsus$ group that claimed responsibility for several high-profile attacks on other major companies. This group’s involvement raises concerns about the security of intellectual property in the gaming industry. The leak was apparently a form of protest against the incarceration of Arion Kurtaj, another member of Lapsus$, who leaked pre-release trailers of GTA 6 and subsequently sentenced to an indefinite hospital stay.
One of the critical revelations from the leak was the planned single-player DLC for GTA 5, which Rockstar had seemingly abandoned in favor of focusing on GTA Online. This decision, while financially driven, disappointed many fans who were expecting substantial single-player expansions. The leaked source code referenced eight canceled expansions, including “SP Assassination Pack,” “SP Manhunt Pack,” “Agent Trevor,” and “LibertyV DLC.”
These expansions hinted at exciting new gameplay dimensions, such as additional missions, a potential return to Liberty City, and expanded storylines involving key characters like Trevor, widely considered one of the best GTA protagonists.
This leak not only sheds light on missed opportunities in GTA 5 but also reveals insights into GTA 6, codenamed “Project Americas.” The exposure of GTA 6’s Python code and other developmental aspects raises concerns about potential disruptions in its production and marketing strategy.
Furthermore, the leak’s impact extends beyond GTA 5 and 6. It has unveiled the entirety of Bully 2’s files, indicating that the sequel to the 2008 game Bully was significantly developed before its eventual cancelation. The leak also includes details from other Rockstar projects, like Agent and a GTA game set in Tokyo for PlayStation 2, fueling speculations about the company’s unreleased and potentially abandoned games.
Rockstar Games has yet to publicly address the incident. However, the implications are far-reaching. It undermines Rockstar’s control over its intellectual property and opens the door to more sophisticated cheat programs in GTA Online and Red Dead Online. Modders could use the source code to create new cheats, disrupting the gaming experience for many players.
The financial implications are equally significant. Arion Kurtaj, the hacker behind the original leak, made a fortune from selling the GTA V source code, demonstrating the lucrative market for stolen game data. His ingenious methods of carrying out the hack, even under police surveillance, highlight the growing sophistication of cybercriminals.
Rockstar Games is currently preparing for the release of GTA 6 sometime in 2025. Unfortunately, it won’t be available on the PC at launch. Apparently, there’s a good reason for this.
