Rockstar breaks its silence on the GTA VI leaks

Rockstar Games put out an official statement today about last week's Grand Theft Auto VI leaks. It went up on the company's social channels (GamesRadar+ cites Twitter, PC Gamer quotes it from Instagram), and the studio doesn't sugarcoat it: calling the leaked gameplay videos heartbreaking for the team is, in their words, an understatement, and after all this waiting this is not how they wanted you to see the game.

Here are the key lines:

We are very sorry that everything has taken as long as it has - from getting the game finished (nearly there!) to sharing more details and official gameplay, and providing the community with everything you want to know.

While it is unfortunate that the intended game experience may now be impacted by some spoilers, we hope that everyone will wait a bit longer to experience the game for themselves on November 19.

They also thanked everyone who sent messages of support, saying those words meant more to the team than we can imagine. I suspect plenty of you will frame that "nearly there!" bit.

The background comes from the press, not from Rockstar. According to Insider Gaming, the footage was spread by an unidentified entity calling itself "CYBERLEEK", which asked for large sums of cash for fresh leaks (including "paid polls") and was tied to a cryptocurrency scheme. The videos reportedly show the full Leonida map, nude parties and strip clubs. Take-Two has sent subpoenas to Microsoft and Discord to identify those responsible. GamesRadar+ adds that the leaked build is reportedly years old.

The official gameplay arrives tomorrow, August 27, on Netflix: PC Gamer calls it a Netflix-exclusive gameplay reveal, while Insider Gaming describes it as a deep-dive "documentary" from Rockstar, Take-Two and Netflix. As for the release, just 85 more sleeps to go. Did you watch the leaked videos, or are you holding out until tomorrow?