ShinyHunters breached 'GTA 6' developer Rockstar Games in ransomware attack

Rockstar can't stop getting hacked.
 By 
Alex Perry
 on 
Jason Duval in GTA 6
There should be a mission in the game where you steal the data back from the hackers. Credit: Rockstar Games

Grand Theft Auto VI is one of the most anticipated video games ever, and is quickly becoming one of the most prematurely hacked games ever, too.

Originally reported by Hackread and The Cybersec Guru, the prominent hacker group ShinyHunters claimed it had hacked GTA developer Rockstar Games over the weekend. The group said it was in possession of valuable data, and set a deadline of Tuesday, April 14 for Rockstar to pay up, lest the data be released to the public.

“Rockstar Games, your Snowflake instances were compromised thanks to Anodot.com. Pay or leak," ShinyHunters said in a statement on Saturday. "This is a final warning to reach out by 14 Apr 2026 before we leak, along with several annoying (digital) problems that’ll come your way. Make the right decision, don’t be the next headline.”


You May Also Like

However, Rockstar is framing things a little differently. In a statement to Kotaku, the company downplayed concerns about the material in question.

“We can confirm that a limited amount of non-material company information was accessed in connection with a third-party data breach," Rockstar said. "This incident has no impact on our organization or our players.”

Reports indicate the hack was focused less on personal data and more on corporate assets. In other words, it doesn't seem like player information is at stake here (as Rockstar said), but things like marketing materials could see the light of day before Rockstar intended.

If ShinyHunters sounds familiar, that's because the group was also responsible for major hacks of Salesforce and Bumble in recent years.

As for GTA VI, Rockstar had to do damage control after a major hack revealed some game details ahead of time, all the way back in 2022. With the game set for release in November of this year, hopefully, the leaks will end one way or another soon.

Recommended deals for you

HBO Max — top pick for premium content

Disney+ — best for families

Hulu — popular choice for originals

Peacock — low-cost choice for live sport

Products available for purchase through affiliate links. If you buy something through links on our site, Mashable may earn an affiliate commission.

journalist alex perry looking at a smartphone
Alex Perry
Tech Reporter

Alex Perry is a tech reporter at Mashable who primarily covers video games and consumer tech. Alex has spent most of the last decade reviewing games, smartphones, headphones, and laptops, and he doesn’t plan on stopping anytime soon. He is also a Pisces, a cat lover, and a Kansas City sports fan. Alex can be found on Bluesky at yelix.bsky.social.

Mashable Potato

Recommended For You
ShinyHunters claims it stole FBI employee data. Here’s what we know.
FBI agent working on his computer in office

Rockstar breaks silence on 'heartbreaking' GTA VI leaks
Rockstar Games logo on phone screen

Former Rockstar director calls 'GTA 6' leaks a 'nothing burger'
GTA VI website dislplayed on a screen and PlayStation DualSense controller

Rockstar’s massive $400 'GTA 6' box comes with Oakleys, a hat, and a map of Leonida — where to preorder
GTA 6 Collector's Box

'GTA Online' gets a major update during the 'GTA 6' marketing blitz
Two people in Burger Shot tracksuits in GTA Online

More in Entertainment
How to watch Buccaneers vs. Cowboys in the NFL online for free
Dak Prescott of the Dallas Cowboys passes the ball

‘Wicker’ is getting a 4DX screening. The internet’s imagination is running wild.
Alexander Skarsgård as the wicker husband in “Wicker,” with a woven face and beard, wearing a dark jacket over a white shirt in a dimly lit room.

25+ book deals to shop during Prime Big Deal Days from Ali Hazelwood, Abby Jimenez, and more
Three book covers on a colorful background

How to watch Argentina vs. Benin online for free
Lionel Messi of Argentina looks on

Hollywood's tech movie boom has arrived
Jeremy Strong playing Mark Zuckerberg in Aaron Sorkin's The Social Reckoning

Trending on Mashable
NYT Connections hints today: Clues, answers for October 8, 2026
Connections game on a smartphone

NYT Connections hints today: Meanings for each word for Oct. 8, 2026
NYT Connections logo.

NYT Strands hints, answers for October 8, 2026
A game being played on a smartphone.

Hurricane Isaias: Track the storm’s path online
A path projection from Hurricane Isaias

How can 'Ted Lasso' fix itself?
Tanya Reynolds, Jason Sudeikis, and Brendan Hunt in "Ted Lasso."