Security News > 2023 > March > STALKER 2 game developer hacked by Russian hacktivists, data stolen
GSC Game World, the developer of the highly-anticipated 'STALKER 2: Heart of Chornobyl' game, warned their systems were breached, allowing threat actors to steal game assets during the attack.
The Ukrainian game publisher says that a "Community from a Russian social network" was behind the attack and is blackmailing the company by threatening to release data for Stalker 2, which is expected to be released later this year.
GSC Game World says this is just one of the many hacks, blackmail, and cyber-aggression it has sustained in the past year, aiming to put hurdles in the game development process and harm its reputation.
The company asks the community not to watch or redistribute any data leaks that may appear online and claims that the data the Russian hackers stole mostly concerns outdated and work-in-progress materials that are not representative of the final product quality.
The hackers posted a message on the Russian social media platform VK, claiming to have stolen a "Vast amount of STALKER 2 material," including the entire storyline, cutscene descriptions, concept art, global maps, and more.
The hackers are giving the game publisher until March 15 to change its stance towards Russian and Belarusian players.