Grand Theft Auto VI LEAKED: Rockstar issues takedown orders after hacker releases official footage and images of long-awaited video game

• Rockstar has confirmed that a hacker leaked footage of Grand Theft Auto VI
• The footage was posted to the GTAForums website by user teapotuberhacker 
• The original post has since been taken down at the request of Take-Two 
• However, the images and video have already spread across social media

A hacker has released gameplay of Grand Theft Auto VI, the next instalment of the best-selling video game, in one of the biggest leaks in gaming history. 

The unprecedented leak includes over an hour of footage showing robberies, gunplay and open-world driving, and was posted on the GTAForums message board over the weekend. 

It also shows some fully-voiced conversations between characters, including a female protagonist, in a fictionalised modern-day Miami, known as Vice City. 

The hacker, who also claims to be behind a cyber incident at Uber last week, posted a message on the forum about seeking to ‘negotiate a deal’ with Take-Two Interactive Software, owner of Rockstar, which publishes the GTA games. 

In a statement published on its social channels, Rockstar said it was ‘extremely disappointed’ to have details on the game shared in this way, but claimed that the leak would not delay the project.

A hacker has released gameplay of Grand Theft Auto VI, the next instalment of the best-selling video game, in one of the biggest leaks in gaming history

‘We recently suffered a network intrusion in which an unauthorized third party illegally accessed and downloaded confidential information from our systems, including early development footage for the next Grand Theft Auto,’ Rockstar said in a statement. 

‘At this time, we do not anticipate any disruption to our live game services nor any long-term effect on the development of our ongoing projects.

‘We are extremely disappointed to have any details of our next game shared with you all in this way. 

‘Our work on the next Grand Theft Auto game will continue as planned and we remain as committed as ever to delivering an experience to you, our players, that truly exceeds your expectations.

‘We will update everyone again soon and, of course, will properly introduce you to this next game when it is ready. 

‘We want to thank everyone for their ongoing support through this situation.’

The highly-anticipated next installment of the Grand Theft Auto video game franchise will feature a playable female protagonist for the first time, according to a report.

Developer Rockstar Games first announced it was working on GTA VI earlier this year, writing in a February statement that ‘active development of the next entry in the Grand Theft Auto series is well under way’.

Now a report in Bloomberg reveals that GTA VI will be the first to let players take on the role of a female lead character in its story mode.

The woman, who is said to be ‘Latina’, reportedly will be one of a pair of leading characters in a story influenced by the bank robbers Bonnie and Clyde. 

People familiar with the game told Bloomberg that developers are being cautious not to ‘punch down’ by making jokes about marginalised groups, in contrast to previous games. 

Multiple videos have been removed from YouTube and Twitter at the request of Take-Two, confirming the legitimacy of the substantial leak, which was first reported by Bloomberg News on Sunday.

Take-Two has also reportedly ordered two of the largest online Grand Theft Auto communities to take down any links to the GTA VI footage. 

‘Do not share media or links to leaked copyrighted material. Discussion is allowed,’ a banner on GTAForums’ homepage read. 

The hacker, who goes by the name teapotuberhacker, claimed that the videos were downloaded from a Slack channel, likely belonging to a Rockstar employee. 

‘It’s a PR disaster, possibly sets back production and hurts morale,’ financial services company Jefferies wrote in a client note, warning the potential leak of the game’s source code could pose a bigger threat.

‘If the source code leaks, it could necessitate significant changes under the hood of the game to ensure its stability, and the server integrity of GTA VI Online once it launches.’

However, many developers shared public support for Rockstar following the leak, including Xbox corporate vice president Sarah Bond.

‘My thoughts are with the team at Rockstar Games,’ Bond wrote. 

‘It can be disheartening to have a project you’ve worked hard on to delight fans revealed and critiqued before it’s ready. 

‘I know they’re creating something special and can’t wait to experience GTA6 when it’s officially unveiled.’

The hacker, who goes by the name teapotuberhacker, claimed that the videos were downloaded from a Slack channel, likely belonging to a Rockstar employee 

Gamers and investors have been waiting for years for the release of GTA VI, the development of which was confirmed in February, leading to a more than 7 per cent jump in Take-Two shares.

In July it was revealed that the game will be set in a fictionalised version of Miami, and will feature a playable female protagonist for the first time.

The woman, who is said to be ‘Latina’, reportedly will be one of a pair of leading characters in a story influenced by the bank robbers Bonnie and Clyde.

The release could offer a much-needed boost to the US gaming company, which forecast weak annual sales in August. 

The gaming industry, considered by some analysts as ‘recession proof’, has started to see some weakness as inflation-hit consumers rein in spending on entertainment. 

Shares of Take-Two Interactive Software tumbled nearly 6 per cent in pre-market trading on Monday, following the report.

However, Jefferies analysts were optimistic about the game’s success.

‘Based on what we see, the game is further along than many believe and (the leak) won’t impact game reception/sales,’ the analysts said.

GTA VI is estimated to generate bookings of $3.5 billion at launch and an annual average of $2 billion thereafter, according to Bank of America Global Research.

Do YOU have what it takes to become a professional gamer? Experts say 9-inches is the optimal handspan 

 

Size really does matter – at least when it comes to gamers’ hands. 

In a new study commissioned by Stakester, Dr Lindsey Migliore, an established e-sports physician, set out to uncover the ideal hand size for professional gamers. 

Dr Migliore examined over 90 gamers aged 18-44, and compared their hand measurements to their gaming success across popular games including Call of Duty, Fifa and Mario Kart. 

The results showed that the ideal size of the fingers varies depending on the game. 

Gamers with small fingers were found to be better at high intensity games like Mario Kart. 

However, those with large fingers were better at longer games that require more stamina, including Call of Duty and Fifa.

 

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