Rockstar’s Highly-Anticipated Sequel Plagued by Hacking Issues

Rockstar’s highly anticipated sequel, Grand Theft Auto VI, has been facing significant challenges due to hacking. The game’s immense popularity has made it a prime target for hackers, with one individual threatening to release the source code of GTA VI.

According to a recent Reuters report, the accused hacker is Arion Kurtaj, a teenager associated with the Lapsus$ hacking group. Kurtaj is currently facing multiple charges, including blackmail, fraud, and violations of the U.K.’s Computer Misuse Act.

Apart from Rockstar, Kurtaj is also accused of targeting other companies such as Revolut, Uber, and Nvidia. He allegedly attempted to blackmail the British broadband provider BT Group, demanding a ransom of $4 million. However, due to his mental state, Kurtaj has been deemed unfit to stand trial.

Rockstar Games previously experienced a “network intrusion” in 2022, resulting in the leak of unfinished gameplay and assets on social media platforms. Although Rockstar swiftly took action to remove the leaked material, it was unable to completely prevent its spread. The leaked content even made its way into Goat Simulator 3 before being promptly taken down.

Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick expressed disappointment and frustration over the leaks, stating that they had a personal and emotional impact on the team. However, he assured that the leaks did not have a significant impact on the business.

While Kurtaj’s involvement was not initially disclosed, Uber revealed in a blog post that it was collaborating with the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate data breaches within their own systems. They suspected that the same hacker was responsible for the Rockstar breaches.

The release date for GTA 6 remains unknown, but it is speculated that it could be launched as early as next year. Meanwhile, a jury will be tasked with determining Kurtaj’s responsibility in the alleged hacking, although they will not issue a guilty or not guilty verdict.

Kat Bailey, IGN’s News Director and co-host of Nintendo Voice Chat, contributed to this article. For any tips, she can be reached via DM at @the_katbot.

What steps are companies like Rockstar and Uber taking to address the cybersecurity challenges posed by hackers like Arion Kurtaj

Rockstar’s highly anticipated sequel, Grand Theft Auto VI, has hit a major roadblock due to hacking attempts. With its massive popularity, the game has become an attractive target for hackers, and one individual in particular has threatened to release the source code of GTA VI.

According to a recent report by Reuters, the alleged hacker is a teenager named Arion Kurtaj who is associated with the Lapsus$ hacking group. Kurtaj is currently facing charges of blackmail, fraud, and violations of the U.K.’s Computer Misuse Act.

Kurtaj is not only accused of targeting Rockstar but also other companies like Revolut, Uber, and Nvidia. He even attempted to extort $4 million from the British broadband provider BT Group. However, due to his mental state, Kurtaj has been deemed unfit to stand trial.

This is not the first time Rockstar has faced hacking issues. In 2022, the company experienced a “network intrusion” which resulted in leaked gameplay and assets being circulated on social media platforms. Rockstar acted quickly to remove the leaked content, but it still managed to make its way into Goat Simulator 3 before being taken down.

Strauss Zelnick, CEO of Take-Two (Rockstar’s parent company), expressed disappointment and frustration over the leaks, acknowledging the impact they had on the team. However, he reassured fans that the leaks did not significantly affect the business.

While Kurtaj’s involvement was initially undisclosed, Uber revealed in a blog post that they were collaborating with the FBI and the U.S. Department of Justice to investigate data breaches within their own systems. They suspected that the same hacker was responsible for the Rockstar breaches.

As for the release date of GTA 6, it remains unknown, but there are speculations that it could potentially launch next year. Meanwhile, a jury will be responsible for determining Kurtaj’s role in the alleged hacking, though they will not be issuing a guilty or not guilty verdict.

It is clear that hacking is proving to be a major challenge for Rockstar and other companies in the gaming industry. The battle against hackers continues, and fans eagerly await the release of GTA VI while hoping for a resolution to these cybersecurity issues.