Hackers are holding Cyberpunk 2077 files for ransom, developer is not negotiating

[Cal Jeffrey]

Hackers have stolen files belonging to the upcoming game Cyberpunk 2077. The thieves are demanding that the studio behind the project, CD Projekt Red, pay a ransom or they will publish the files publicly. According to a statement released by the developers, the files are mostly older design documents that are “largely unrepresentative of the current version of the game,” and that they will not be giving into the demands of the hackers.

pic.twitter.com/eP2OatjZZW

— CD PROJEKT RED (@CDPROJEKTRED) June 8, 2017

Despite the documents not being current, they apparently do contain spoilers for the game. The CDPR team warns those who are interested in enjoying Cyberpunk 2077 to avoid any information not coming directly from the studio as it may spoil their experience.

There is no word on how hackers gained access to the files nor what they were demanding for their return. It seems that CD Projekt Red just wants to put the incident behind them and get back to work. While the team appears to regard the files as having little value, they are still cooperating with authorities to catch the cyberpunks.

“When the time is right, you will hear about Cyberpunk 2077 from us – officially.”

The studio has kept a pretty tight lid on the project so far, which is saying something since they announced it way back in 2012. We know that it will be a huge open-world RPG that is going to make The Witcher 3 look small according to PC Gamer. There are other minor details such as the time period (2077, duh) and that virtual reality in the game is like a drug.

Since it is based on the pen and paper roleplaying game, we also know it will take place in Night City. It is supposedly going to have a multiplayer mode, but the developers assure fans that the focus is on a strong story mode first.

CD Projekt Red’s pat answer, when asked for a release date, is “when it’s done.” However, a strategy statement published last year by the studio states that Cyberpunk will be released sometime between 2017 and 2021. That is quite a large window, but perhaps the team will have something to tell us at E3 this year that can narrow that time frame down.

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https://www.techspot.com/news/69639-hackers-holding-cyberpunk-2077-files-ransom-cdpr-not.html

 

[davislane1]

One day hackers are going to try and ransom a true ZFG company.

"We have stolen [important docs here]. Please transfer 20 BTC to the specified account by Monday next week or we will release these documents to the public."

"Re: Call for Ransom

Piss off."

 

[m4a4]

Doesn't sound like a hacker. More like a disgruntled ex-employee

 

[Cal Jeffrey]

Doesn't sound like a hacker. More like a disgruntled ex-employee

That is what I was thinking too.

 

[LiveLong]

It all sounds like a very good marketing campaign for me. And also like the plot of a Cyberpunk 2020 game: a netrunner steals files from a corporation and then asks for a ransom for them. In the game, though, they would sell it to a Fixer, but in this case, is released on the net.

And as a marketing move is BRILLIANT: they have the people talking about the game like crazies without showing a single image of it. Also, the timing is convenient: so close to E3, and with a statement said shortly ago that the marketing campaign was already planned. If this is a marketing campaign, is the work of a GENIOUS.

Credit: I got the theory from the YouTuber TheMadqueenShow.

 

[Legendelin]

It all sounds like a very good marketing campaign for me. And also like the plot of a Cyberpunk 2020 game: a netrunner steals files from a corporation and then asks for a ransom for them. In the game, though, they would sell it to a Fixer, but in this case, is released on the net.

And as a marketing move is BRILLIANT: they have the people talking about the game like crazies without showing a single image of it. Also, the timing is convenient: so close to E3, and with a statement said shortly ago that the marketing campaign was already planned. If this is a marketing campaign, is the work of a GENIOUS.

Credit: I got the theory from the YouTuber TheMadqueenShow.

It makes sense. I've been an avid Cyberpunk 2020 player back in the day and the first time I read the press note I instantly thought of a NetRunner. Congrats to that Youtuber, I think she's on the right track!

 

[Skidmarksdeluxe]

Doesn't sound like a hacker. More like a disgruntled ex-employee

I wouldn't be at all surprised if it was. I'm pleased to see the studio has given the "kidnapper/s" the bird. Bullies ALWAYS cower very quickly when the victims fight back.

 

[Kibaruk]

They got my attention with

We know that it will be a huge open-world RPG that is going to make The Witcher 3 look small according to PC Gamer

 

[oldikes]

Doesn't sound like a hacker. More like a disgruntled ex-employee

I thought this too, and then I realized you have to be REALLY stupid to blackmail your former employer (a recent one at that), and most people in famous game development studios aren't REALLY stupid.

 

[turismozilla]

Do not negotiate with terrorists!

 

[mbrowne5061]

Doesn't sound like a hacker. More like a disgruntled ex-employee

I would like to think they would have taken relevant files then - but you might be correct. It does sound plausible.