The group behind the recent GTA 6 leaks, CyberLeek, says it will release a full build of the game if its memecoin reaches a $30 million market cap.
The group ties a release to its token price
Online reports said the threat was posted on CyberLeek's website. It describes a build that includes the full story mode and the end credits.
The memecoin's market cap started at $3.8 million. It rose to $5.7 million after news of the warning spread on social media.
By the time one outlet published its report, the figure had fallen back to $3.8 million.
In its message, the group set out what it called a clean deal. It invited doubters to ask for any scene they wanted to see, and said that request would be met.
Take-Two gets one way out: physical disks and a public apology.
The group also dared the publisher to call its bluff. "Or they can gamble that CL is bluffing," it wrote.
Once again, the group framed its leaks as a protest at the lack of a physical disc version of the game. It allegedly demanded an apology from Take-Two, along with a disc release of GTA 6.
How the leaks reached this point
A leak this week contained a first-person camera mode, story details, cutscenes and 24 minutes of gameplay, and the warning comes after it.
CyberLeek had appeared to go quiet after a spate of high-profile leaks in August. Those leaks prompted an investigation by Take-Two, the parent company of Rockstar.
One earlier leak ended with the word LEEK being shot into a wall, which was taken as proof that the group has access to a playable build. Eurogamer has seen the new video and said it appears to be legitimate. As in previous leaks, it carries the CyberLeek emblem over the footage.
- AugustFirst leaks
A spate of GTA 6 leaks prompts an investigation by Take-Two.
- Late AugustCash-out reported
Analysis of crypto transactions points to the leaker having cashed out.
- This week24-minute leak
The group returns with gameplay, cutscenes and story details.
- After the leak$30 million warning
The group's website sets out the market cap condition.
Money runs through the project. Every video the group has posted pointed to a website where fans can pay, using the leaker's own cryptocurrency, to vote on further leaks.
Analysis of cryptocurrency transactions in late August pointed to the leaker having "cashed out", earning around $270,000.
The group has set smaller goals before. At a $2 million market cap, it threatened to release gameplay showing Lucia in a bikini. At $4 million, it said, it would release gameplay with Lucia "fully naked."
Such a poll is reportedly live on the group's website now, which suggests that another leak is on the way.
Take-Two and Rockstar respond
Take-Two has been hunting for the person behind the leaks. It filed subpoenas against Microsoft, Discord and X, and wrote that it sought to "obtain the identity of an alleged infringer or infringers, and that such information will only be used for the purpose of protecting Take-Two's rights."
One of the filings included a takedown request sent to Discord. It described the content as genuine leaked GTA 6 gameplay and said its distribution "constitutes unauthorised reproduction and public disclosure of our Client's copyrighted work."
Rockstar said the leaks have been "heartbreaking for our team." "While it is unfortunate that the intended game experience may now be impacted by some spoilers, we hope that everyone will wait a bit longer to experience the game for themselves on November 19."
Many fans doubt the group's stated support for physical media and accuse the leaker of running a cryptocurrency scam. Fans have heavily criticised the group and anyone who spends money on its token.
One unnamed fan put it bluntly: "Anyone who puts money into this deserves to lose it all."
IGN judged it unlikely that the token will get anywhere near $30 million, given the $3.8 million market cap at the time of its report.
The sources also differ on what the group is offering. One description is a full build. It is unclear whether CyberLeek means to put a build online or to release a full playthrough of the game in video form, IGN said.
| One account | Another account | |
|---|---|---|
| What is promised | A full build with story mode and end credits | Possibly a full playthrough in video form |
| Length of this week's leak | 24 minutes | 25 minutes |
What we know
- Take-Two has tried to subpoena Discord for information on the leaker's identity.
- The warning followed this week's gameplay leak.
Still unclear
- Whether CyberLeek would release a playable build or only a full playthrough video.
- The origin and content of the build the group holds.
- How the footage left Rockstar's security.
- Whether Take-Two's subpoenas will identify the leaker.
Analysis: the trigger rewards the token, not the player
Analysis. The condition is a token price, not a date or an action by Take-Two. By one outlet's account the memecoin needs roughly $26 million more in market cap to get there.
Every rise in attention can feed the token and the paid votes on the group's site. The group therefore appears to gain from the threat whether or not it ever delivers a build.
Analysis. The demand for discs and an apology looks very hard to meet. GTA 6 is just over a month away on console, and Rockstar has held to its date. The ultimatum looks built to be refused.
Analysis. The jump to $5.7 million after news of the warning shows that the threat itself moves the price. The live poll suggests that more leaks are likely before any full build appears.
Analysis. The group's best protection is anonymity. IGN said this week's developments suggest the group is still at large and defying possible legal action.
Whether the culprits are caught may rest on how well Take-Two's lawyers and the relevant authorities can force social networks or crypto exchanges to hand over personal details. That legal pursuit looks like the main thing that could end the campaign.
GTA 6 is due on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on 19 November. Rockstar reiterated that date in August and has said it hopes players will wait until then.
