The gaming world has been abuzz with the recent leaks of Grand Theft Auto 6 (GTA 6) gameplay footage. The leaks, attributed to a group known as Cyberleeks have caused quite a stir, prompting Take-Two Interactive the parent company of Rockstar Games to take legal action.
In a move to protect its intellectual property Take-Two has filed subpoenas against Microsoft and Discord seeking information that could lead to the identification of the leakers. The subpoenas, filed in the Southern District of New York request a trove of data linked to various online accounts believed to be involved in the leaks.
Take-Two’s Legal Offensive
The subpoena against Microsoft cites a Github website where the leaks were initially posted. Take-Two is asking for account IDs, registration emails, IP addresses, phone numbers, and linked accounts and content related to Grand Theft Auto from a OneDrive account. The subpoena also requests all internal Microsoft business records and investigative records associated with Microsoft’s internal investigation of the ‘cyberleek’ persona.
Similarly, the subpoena against Discord seeks information related to all user accounts that are or were members of specific Discord servers, including those associated with the handles ‘CYBERLEEK’, ‘CINEMATICROCKSTAR’, and ‘Surfer24k™’. The subpoena also mentions the Discord servers of popular GTA 5 streamer Matthew ‘Matt’ Judge known as DarkViperAU.
The Implications of the Leaks
The leaks have not only caused a stir among fans but have also had a tangible impact on Take-Two’s share price, which has dropped by 2% over the past week. However, the company’s share price is still up 6% for the year The leaks have also sparked a debate about the industry’s shift from physical discs to digital downloads, with the leakers releasing a manifesto criticizing this trend.
The manifesto, posted alongside the leaks, contains ‘Three Commandments’, one of which blasts Rockstar Games’ decision to release GTA 6 without any physical discs. The manifesto argues that preorders were created because physical discs had manufacturing limits, and suggests that if publishers want revenue before launch, they can press discs and put them on shelves.
The Road Ahead for GTA 6
Despite the leaks and the ongoing legal battle, GTA 6 is still set for launch on November 19, 2026 exclusively on Xbox Series X|S and PS5. The game has been highly anticipated, with fans waiting well over a decade for a follow-up to GTA V. The leaks have only served to heighten the anticipation and speculation surrounding the game.
In response to the subpoenas, Microsoft’s Chief Technical Officer Scott Van Vilet stated: ‘We are working closely with Take-Two and Rockstar Games to support efforts to protect creative works and intellectual property.’ The outcome of this legal battle and the impact on the gaming industry remain to be seen.
