GTA 6 gameplay leaks have taken a more confrontational turn, with the hacking group Cyberleek using newly shared footage to criticise Rockstar Games and publisher Take-Two Interactive.
The group claims its campaign is a protest against the reported decision to release the open-world action game without a physical disc. Its manifesto also objects to the reported $100 Ultimate Edition, which includes exclusive cosmetics and in-game shops, and raises concerns about the long-term future of digital distribution.
For readers following the wider arcade and gaming news cycle, this story highlights an increasingly familiar fault line: the tension between convenient digital access and the ownership expectations associated with physical releases.
What the leaked GTA 6 footage shows
On Tuesday, Cyberleek published two short clips containing previously unseen gameplay moments. The footage appeared to show melee combat and the return of the six-star Wanted system, a feature absent from GTA 5.
The clips directed viewers to Cyberleek’s website, where the group published its message to Rockstar and Take-Two. Cyberleek threatened to release additional footage unless Take-Two changed its release plans.
That threat was followed by a new two-minute GTA 6 gameplay clip on Wednesday morning. It shows Jason using a taser against people in a restricted area and carries the line, “No physical discs? Then more leeks!” [sic]. A fourth clip later appeared, depicting Jason stabbing a police officer to death.
Digital ownership debate becomes part of the fallout
The leak has also created distance between Cyberleek and Stop Killing Games, an advocacy group campaigning for legal protections when publishers end support for digital games.
Although the two campaigns share concerns about digital game preservation, a Stop Killing Games representative told fans that Cyberleek’s actions were illegal. A statement shared on Reddit said the hacking group risked damaging the reputation of communities seeking change and alleged that Cyberleek was using the campaign to promote cryptocurrency and a questionable meme coin.
Take-Two has been removing the leaked footage wherever it appears. That effort has not prevented people from reposting the clips or debating what they reveal. The discussion has included claims that the footage is at least a year old, possibly older, meaning the final release could differ substantially from what has been shown.
Why the footage may not represent the finished game
Some viewers have found the leaked gameplay underwhelming, while others worry it could point to a graphical downgrade. However, repeated re-recording and uploading has progressively reduced the footage quality, making direct visual comparisons difficult.
The clips also present ordinary gameplay rather than a polished demonstration designed to showcase the game. A planned extended look at GTA 6 from Rockstar and Netflix should provide a more reliable indication of the finished experience.
Cyberleek’s latest clip mainly shows unremarkable gameplay before switching to a cutscene containing a pointed message aimed at Take-Two. Jason raises a toast and tells Cal Hampton, a supporting character known for his conspiracy theories: “Enjoy your life till the men in suits decide to finally shut you the fuck up.”
Hampton replies: “They don’t know nothing about me, man. I use a VPN!”
What happens next?
The immediate outcome is likely to be an ongoing battle over unauthorised uploads, alongside continued arguments about physical media, digital ownership and game preservation. Until Rockstar presents newer official footage, the leaked material should be treated as an incomplete snapshot rather than a definitive look at GTA 6.
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