Take-Two shares fall after leaked GTA VI gameplay footage

The shares of Take-Two, the company that owns Rockstar Games, fell almost 6% in pre-market trading on Monday (19), after several reports reported the leak of the first images of the game Grand Theft Auto VI (GTA VI) . (see below)

The action of a hacker, considered “unprecedented” and one of the biggest in the games industry, includes dozens of videos showing thefts, shootings and setting. Bloomberg News reporter Jason Schreier said sources familiar with the game’s development confirmed the content was real.

Not that there was much doubt, but I’ve confirmed with Rockstar sources that this weekend’s massive Grand Theft Auto VI leak is indeed real. The footage is early and unfinished, of course. This is one of the biggest leaks in video game history and a nightmare for Rockstar Games

— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) September 18, 2022

“It’s a disaster, possibly damaging production and team morale,” investment firm Jefferies wrote in a note to clients, warning that the potential leak of the video game’s source code could pose a greater threat.

“If the source code is leaked, this could require significant changes to the game to ensure its stability and the integrity of the GTA VI Online server once it is released.”

The hacker, who also claimed to be the person behind a cyber incident with Uber last week, posted a message on a forum about trying to “negotiate a deal” with Take-Two.

Take-Two and Rockstar, the studio behind the game, did not respond to requests for comment.

A GTAForums administrator explained that the company asked for material related to the game to be taken down, under copyright rules.

“Do not share media or links to leaked copyrighted material. Discussion is allowed,” read a banner on the GTAForums homepage.

Players and investors have been waiting for years for the release of GTA VI, the development of which was confirmed in February and led to a jump of more than 7% in Take-Two’s shares.

“Based on what we see, the game is further along than many believe and (the leak) will not affect product reception/sales,” Jefferies analysts said.

GTA VI is estimated to generate revenues of $3.5 billion at launch and an annual average of $2 billion thereafter, according to BofA Global Research.

See some leaked images

crawling pic.twitter.com/iOzHyBZMi4

— jean (@jeannlz) September 18, 2022