Take-Two Interactive has filed subpoenas against Microsoft, Discord, Google, and X Corp. to unmask the leaker known as Cyberleek, who released short gameplay clips and maps from Grand Theft Auto VI ahead of an official Netflix debut.
The leak blitz began when someone (or perhaps a group of people) called Cyberleek has been busy sharing short gameplay clips of GTA VI left and right. On Aug. 20, Take-Two Interactive, the parent company of GTA-maker Rockstar Games, filed subpoenas against Microsoft and Discord to try to unmask the leaker, followed soon after by subpoenas against Google and X Corp. Those filings specifically cited stolen content,
seemingly confirming that at least some of the Cyberleek videos are legitimate. The GTA 6 leaks represent the first glimpse of gameplay from the hotly anticipated title. In addition, countless AI-generated videos posing as “leaks” are also circulating widely on social media.
Subpoenas Target Major Tech Platforms to Unmask Cyberleek
Legal filings submitted by Take-Two Interactive Software Inc., the parent company of Grand Theft Auto-maker Rockstar Games, formally name Microsoft and Discord as the publisher hunts the leaker known as Cyberleek. Take-Two is also requesting the removal of leaked material that violates its copyrights, as well as information that could unmask the leakers.
The court documents specifically cite stolen content,
seemingly confirming that the leaks are legitimate. Alongside tracking down the perpetrators behind the breach, Take-Two is aggressively demanding the removal of leaked material that violates its copyrights, as well as information that could unmask the leakers.
What the Cyberleek Footage Reveals About the Game
While the leaked files lack official verification, several clips and screenshots have been posted by Cyberleek that purportedly show different aspects of GTA 6, from the game’s map to glimpses of cut scenes. The leaker has avoided posting major plot spoilers, at least so far.
Among the circulated items are cropped world maps highlighting specific locations. Map sneak peek 1 shows a small, cropped portion of the in-game world map, showing a location called Dalton Island, while Map sneak peek 2 shows another cropped portion of the map showing locations called Tequesta Retreat, Gloriana Key, and Catalan Key. Video captures feature protagonist Jason Duval executing various activities, including throwing a basketball into a hoop in a mini-game, driving around before beating up a truck driver, and driving before stealing a security guard’s taser and using it on him before repeatedly kicking the guard while he is on the ground.
Other clips include a Junkies video that appears to show a healing drug called Zombix, with a tooltip indicating that Zombix’s effects will weaken over time if the player uses it too much. A plane video shows Jason flying a plane over Vice City, with much of the game world visible below; at the end, whoever is playing the game in the clip shoots the word “LEEK” into a wall with bullets, suggesting the leaker has a playable build of the game. Additional clips feature Jason driving a high-end sports car around Vice City before committing armed robbery, wandering around a strip club followed by a short clip of an in-game cutscene, causing trouble at a gas station and stealing a truck with a bed full of gasoline before crashing and dying, exploring a nudist hangout spot where NPCs are nude and attacking NPCs, walking around the interior of a nightclub, riding a bicycle on a beach full of NPCs, and walking around a video game store with shelves full of fake video game boxes.
The Intersection of Genuine Assets and Synthetic Media
Discerning authentic pre-release media from fabricated projects remains a challenge, as countless AI-generated videos posing as “leaks” are also circulating widely on social media. We can’t authenticate any of the Cyberleek videos, but as someone who has played nearly every GTA game, they appear fairly convincing. GTA games all move in a certain way, and that movement appears to be recreated remarkably well in these videos, with everything from character movement to NPC interactions looking relatively on-brand for a modern Rockstar game. That said, we live in a world where it’s easy to generate convincing AI videos.
Cryptocurrency Polls and the Timeline to Official Footage
As for what’s next, Cyberleek is notably running polls on its website that allow people to pay in cryptocurrency to vote on what should be leaked next. That is unfolding just days before Grand Theft Auto VI makes its big official debut (of sorts) on Netflix. Official gameplay footage is set to debut on Netflix on Aug. 27. So far, Rockstar and Take-Two have said nothing about the leaks outside of the subpoenas filed last week.
