Group Behind Alleged GTA 6 Gameplay Leak Calls for Halt on Digital Pre-Orders: “Publishers Should Press Discs for Revenue Before Launch”

Things have been a bit too calm lately, and it seems someone decided to shake things up by leaking new footage of Grand Theft Auto 6 ahead of its release. This leak appears to be a protest against digital pre-orders.

Recently, several video clips showcasing what looks like genuine GTA 6 gameplay have surfaced online, spreading quickly across various platforms. These clips reportedly originated from a site called Cyberleek and feature driving sequences, Jason playing basketball, and what might be the entire game map. This leak is particularly significant, especially with a major gameplay reveal just around the corner.

What’s intriguing here is the hacker group behind the leak and their stated motivations. The Cyberleek website features a detailed manifesto criticizing the increasing prevalence of “monetization schemes” in gaming, such as live-service models, the sale of digital licenses instead of true ownership, and the practice of locking content on discs as DLC. They argue that “every year anti-consumerism tightens its grip, and every year gamers get less for what they pay.”

Cyberleek claims to be raising funds for an undisclosed “secret project” and has outlined three “commandments” that they expect game publishers to follow. They warn that if a publisher violates any of these commandments, they will “target” them and won’t stop until a public apology and commitment to change is made. “Words are not enough; restitution is mandatory,” they state.

From these commandments, we can speculate why Cyberleek chose to focus on GTA 6. One commandment, which calls for “offline fallback state[s]” for single-player content, doesn’t seem to apply to the game at this time. While it’s unclear how this affects GTA 6, it doesn’t seem likely that its single-player campaign will be at risk of being rendered unplayable.

Commandment 2 addresses the issue of “fake single-player DLC,” which refers to content that is included in the game at launch but requires an additional purchase to unlock. This could be a point of contention for Cyberleek regarding GTA 6, especially since the game will feature numerous extra vehicles, cosmetics, and other content locked behind the “Ultimate Edition,” which costs $20 more than the standard version. Cyberleek argues, “When someone pays USD 70+ for a game, they bought the data. All of it.” They criticize the practice of charging players again for unlocking content that should already be accessible.

However, Commandment 1 is the most direct criticism aimed at GTA 6, as it explicitly opposes digital pre-orders.

“No consumer shall pay for a game through digital storefronts before release and independent review. Physical preorders for tangible media remain permitted.”

The manifesto argues that pre-orders were originally designed for physical media due to manufacturing constraints, but in the digital age, there’s no inventory issue. A digital copy can’t sell out, yet publishers have retained the pre-order system while removing its benefits for consumers. Gamers end up paying early without receiving anything substantial in return, aside from a countdown timer and a cosmetic skin.

If publishers want to generate revenue before launch, they should produce physical copies.

And that’s exactly what GTA 6 is doing: offering digital pre-orders. With no physical edition available at launch, there’s no option for traditional pre-orders. It’s likely that both Commandment 1 and 2 are fueling Cyberleek’s frustration, especially given reports that the $100 digital-only Ultimate Edition of GTA 6 is being pre-ordered significantly more than the regular $80 version.

Moreover, Cyberleek seems to have targeted Rockstar specifically due to its prominence in the industry. “If CYBERLEEK can reach Rockstar, no one is safe. This is a message to all big corporations: behave, or be the next target.” Their manifesto concludes with a firm stance:

“CYBERLEEK will continue to disrupt their operations until they issue a public statement and apology with a concrete commitment to fix the harm they caused. No private negotiations. No quiet settlements. The public sees it, or the ‘leaks’ do not stop.”

Given Rockstar’s history of handling leaks, it seems unlikely they will overhaul their business strategy just because some blurry clips have emerged.