A leaker known as Cyberleek has claimed responsibility for the recently released map snippets and gameplay footage of GTA 6, issuing a public ultimatum to Rockstar Games. The leaker stated that they will not stop leaking confidential materials from the project until Rockstar issues a public apology and clearly commits to changing its policies toward players. The phrase "Fight for Player Rights" also appeared on the leaked map images, becoming the central theme of the leaker's actions.
The trigger for this leak was Rockstar's decision to focus on digital distribution and promote pre-orders that require upfront payment without allowing assessment of product quality. In a manifesto targeting the digital pre-order model, the hacker detailed their stance, stating that no consumer should pay via digital stores before a game's release and the publication of independent reviews; however, physical pre-orders on physical media remain acceptable.
In their statement, the leaker reflected on the original meaning of pre-orders in the industry. According to the leaker, pre-orders were not created for players but due to production limitations of physical discs; in digital distribution, there is no physical inventory or warehouse shortages. The leaker emphasized that digital copies do not sell out, yet publishers have retained the pre-order system and stripped away its only benefit to consumers, forcing players to pay early for countdown timers and cosmetic skins. They added that if publishers want revenue before release, they should press discs and print boxes, earning money through genuine physical production.
Among the publicly released materials are basketball shooting scenes with debug interface indicators, as well as separate footage of the protagonist Jason driving and subsequently assaulting pedestrians. Analysis of the metadata from these leaked videos shows that the clips come from test builds from 2022 or 2023, meaning the graphics and animations contain draft elements and are noticeably inferior to the final promotional materials.
The incident has caused a split within the player community. Some users support the leaker, sharing dissatisfaction with publisher Take-Two's aggressive commercialization and pricing policies. Other commentators criticize the hacker for speculating on consumer rights, pointing out that Rockstar's security department will inevitably pursue legal sanctions.