A clip identified as gameplay from GTA 6 was published online by a user named Cyberleek, citing it as a protest against digital pre-order systems.
Two videos allegedly showing gameplay and the map of the highly anticipated GTA VI, or Grand Theft Auto VI, were leaked online by a user called Cyberleek, who claimed responsibility. This occurred just days before Rockstar Games plans to release a game trailer on Netflix on 27 August.
The first video features Jason, the game's protagonist, playing basketball in front of a waterfront house. Another video shows a confrontation with a delivery person escalating to violence, followed by a police chase. Additionally, an alleged full game map is shown, covering the state of Leonida, inspired by Florida.
Following the leak, Rockstar Games has not confirmed the authenticity of the content. However, prominent gaming media like PC Gamer consider the footage highly realistic. Closer inspection reveals features never before confirmed, such as a six-star police wanted system triggered by extreme violence, indicators showing police knowledge of suspects' clothing, appearance, and vehicles, a stamina meter for melee combat compared by several outlets to Red Dead Redemption 2, and small icons possibly representing a morality system reacting to violent actions.
Moreover, the vehicle system includes fuel consumption and engine condition for the first time in the series. The basketball mini-game boosts the Focus stat. The map reportedly shows the locations of both main characters simultaneously, with a racetrack and a small runway near the Keys area, which some speculate might be a military base.
At the same time, this leak has led to waves of misinformation. Kotaku reports that AI-generated videos and images have been mixed with genuine footage. Some users have presented old footage from a 2022 hack as part of the new leak, making it harder for players to distinguish real clips from fakes and outdated videos.
Kotaku also notes that if the leaked footage is genuine, it appears to come from a build significantly more advanced than the one leaked in 2022.
Cyberleek stated that this leak is part of a broader protest against digital pre-order practices, fake single-player DLC content, Sony's cancellation of physical discs, and demands for an offline backup mode. The group reportedly issued a statement listing several demands to Rockstar and other publishers, threatening further leaks if ignored.
Within one day, a second set of data appeared, showing use of a stun gun, cutscene footage, and unrelated promotion of a cryptocurrency token.
GTA 6 is officially set to release on 19 November 2026 for PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S.
Source:Mashable