The Stop Killing Games movement has issued a statement distancing itself from the alleged group responsible for the recent Grand Theft Auto VI leak, cautioning against any financial support for the hackers and casting doubt on their motivations.
Recent leaks of Grand Theft Auto VI gameplay footage and a purported map image have surfaced online, bearing a watermark for a cryptocurrency and a website associated with a group calling themselves 'CyberLeek.' This group published a manifesto that included demands for Rockstar Games and other publishers, criticizing the industry's shift towards an all-digital future and practices like selling games without physical discs or locking content behind expensive special editions. The manifesto also contained a veiled threat to other publishers, stating that if CyberLeek can target Rockstar, "no one is safe."
Stop Killing Games, which advocates against the practice of rendering sold games unplayable by pushing for legal frameworks and offline modes, specifically addressed the leaked manifesto. The movement pointed out that the manifesto criticized The Crew, a 2014 racing game that was central to Stop Killing Games' efforts after its servers were shut down by Ubisoft. In response to the leak, Stop Killing Games urged fans not to send money to the alleged hackers, expressed sympathy for Rockstar employees, and suggested that the leak's motivation was not genuinely related to concerns about an all-digital future.
"Using illegal means to make a point is unacceptable to us and does nothing to protect our right to keep using what we paid for," the statement read. The group emphasized that such actions are destructive, risk tarnishing the reputation of their community, and could jeopardize their chances of achieving meaningful change. They also noted that the individual responsible for a significant GTA 6 leak in 2022 faced severe legal consequences, including an indefinite hospital order, and advised against risking one's future on such actions, expressing skepticism about the hackers' stated reasons.
Stop Killing Games felt compelled to issue a statement due to potential negative affiliations, particularly as they engage with lawmakers. "Everyone is very, very mindful about this stuff in parliaments," a representative explained. "We need the conservatives for a majority and they hate to be affiliated to something that behaves like this."
This move comes after a setback in June when the European Commission stated it could not legally obligate the preservation of video games after commercial support ends, citing existing intellectual property rights. While the Commission acknowledged that publishers must inform consumers about contract termination conditions, it agreed to work with the industry and consumer representatives on a code of conduct for managing games' "end of life."
Stop Killing Games continues its advocacy, recently joining a lawsuit against Sony regarding its perceived market monopoly and its decision to cease printing physical games starting January 2028. This shift has fueled discussions about media ownership and the future of digital marketplaces.
Grand Theft Auto VI has been the subject of multiple leaks previously. In 2022, a substantial number of videos and images from an early build were leaked, leading to significant security concerns. More recently, in December 2023, the first official trailer leaked hours before its scheduled premiere. Rockstar has also confirmed third-party data breaches in the past, though it stated these incidents had no impact on its operations or players.
The current leak surfaces just days before the scheduled release of "Grand Theft Auto 6: An Extended Look," a timed Netflix exclusive due on August 27, before becoming available on other platforms. Grand Theft Auto VI is slated for release on PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S on November 19, 2026.