At least three more clips of GTA 6 gameplay have surfaced online in the last 24 hours, while the culprit insists the leaks remain free despite asking for crypto donations.
It has been almost a week since gameplay footage of GTA 6 began to leak ahead of a planned Netflix preview, and despite Rockstar's efforts to take down the videos, new ones keep popping up on a daily basis.
At first, there was suspicion that the footage had been stolen from a private preview or whatever Netflix has planned, but it's since become clear that hacker group Cyberleek has somehow obtained a copy of the game, or at least an early build of it, and are capturing their own gameplay.
New clips show detailed environments
The leaks continue, with three more clips surfacing online since yesterday. Although the watermark accompanying them has been adjusted with a message aimed at those who have criticised Cyberleek's actions.
As usual, the leaked footage cannot be shared for legal reasons, although this time they don't feature any dramatic revelations, such as the new petrol management mechanic or the nudist town. One clip just shows Jason hanging out in a very crowded strip club (although there's no full frontal nudity) while another sees him cycling down a beach. A third clip sees him walk into a games store, where it looks like there's a playable arcade cabinet as well as wireless earbuds and headphones you can buy.
If there's one thing to take away from any of these clips, it's that GTA 6's environments are incredibly detailed (the shelves in the game store are full of fake physical video games, complete with discernible spines and logos) and the game is able to run very smoothly even with the dense population of non-playable characters in the club and on the beach.
Cyberleek defends crypto scheme
All the leaked clips continue to advertise Cyberleek's own cryptocurrency scheme. As a reminder, Cyberleek is requesting crypto donations and has even shared polls on their website where people can donate to choose what clips are leaked next.
One of the clips has a different message, meant to defend Cyberleek's actions, saying any donations are to cover 'operational costs,' while the leaks remain free.
'Stop the hate. Channel that energy into protests. Not at those actually fighting for you. CL is taking huge risks in this battle. Leeks are free and donations cover operational costs. Using crypto is the only way. CL can't win alone. Today is the day to show support and protest,' it reads.
Cyberleek is indeed taking a massive risk with these leaks, since Rockstar's lawyers would tear them apart if they are ever caught. However, the implication that they're doing this as a favour for everyone else, and helping fight back against Rockstar's plans to only launch GTA 6 digitally, rings awfully hollow.
Reaction and next steps
For one thing, Stop Killing Games, an organisation dedicated to physical game preservation, has publicly decried what Cyberleek is doing, stating that their actions only risk 'tarnishing the reputation of our communities and our chances to make change.'
Presumably, the leaks will continue until at least the Netflix preview this Thursday night, but Cyberleek has pledged to carry on unless Rockstar apologises for the lack of physical support and U-turns on the matter. There's no chance Rockstar will agree to this, so the leaks will probably carry on up until GTA 6's November launch, since there'd be little point leaking footage for a game people can go and buy.
That's assuming Rockstar doesn't catch the person or persons behind Cyberleek first. Parent company and publisher Take-Two Interactive has reportedly subpoenaed Microsoft and Discord to release records of online accounts involved with the leaks, though Discord's marketing director Ryan Rigney recently said it's yet to receive such a request.
