Aiden Strawhun reports:
The Witcher 3 developer CD Projekt Red has another much-anticipated project in the works, but it seems the situation is getting a bit dire. Announced by the development team on Twitter, a person or group has stolen documents and files related to their forthcoming game Cyberpunk 2077 and is demanding a ransom.
The team’s statement reads:
An unidentified individual or individuals have just informed us they are in possession of a few internal files belonging to CD Projekt Red. Among them are documents connected to early designs for the upcoming game, Cyberpunk 2077.
A demand for ransom has been made, saying that should we not comply, the files will be released to the general public. We will not be giving in to the demands of the individual or individuals that have contacted us, which might eventually lead to the files being published online. The appropriate legal authorities will be informed about the situation.
Read more on Paste Magazine.
CD Projekt Red declined to provide additional details when I contacted them to see if they’d share a copy of the extortion demand. I’m beginning to wonder how many hackers/collectives are out there hacking and attempting extortion. No, I don’t necessarily think this is the work of TheDarkOverlord, but what are the odds that it’s a hacker or collective who has never done this before or since? Is it the group that hacked the Lithuanian cosmetic surgery clinic? Another group? Who?
It feels like we’re due for a white paper on the topic.
In the meantime, if anyone has info to share, please contact me.