SUMMARY
- Rockstar Games is having a nightmare end of the year as the source code for GTA 5 has been leaked.
- 2022 already had a massive leak for GTA 6 and now the developers face yet another leak with a far bigger consequence.
Numerous bits of information related to Grand Theft Auto 5 have surfaced online over the last few days due to the massive source code leak. As more details now become available, it appears that the GTA 5 source code was sold for $2,000.
Uncertainty remains regarding who initially paid $2,000 for the source code. They’re “not allowed to mention who [Teapot] sold it to,” according to Dyllie, even though details regarding TMP’s (TickleMePickles), purported leak have surfaced. All that is currently known about it is that it was purportedly purchased jointly by a modding group.
According to purportedly leaked direct messages, TMP, also known as Austinator Modz and XBL Dragonfly, participated in a group purchase for the source code that was leaked. Together, they supposedly paid $2,000, but TMP supposedly did not put any money of his own and continued to receive the leaked data.
Now, it’s been seemingly revealed that the GTA 5 source code was sold for an very low price of $2,000. pic.twitter.com/4fp1DIFPpb
— YR (@YrReload) December 27, 2023
Nevertheless, it is said that they attempted to recoup their investment by selling the source code, first hoping to receive $6,000 and ultimately going down to $200–$500. One of the group members changed their mind and chose to leak the code after no one would purchase it from them, even after prices were reduced.
What does the source code leak mean for GTA 5?
A source code leak is the biggest nightmare for game developers. It means that every piece of code is usable and susceptible to theft or modification.
In the scenario of Rockstar, the GTA 5 source code leak constitutes a serious intellectual property infringement. It makes the complicated internal workings of the game visible to the public, which could lead to unauthorized copying or modification of the game by other developers.
This could then result in unapproved copies or derivative works, which would be detrimental to the rights and labors of the original developers.
GTA V source code that took Rockstar years to write was reportedly sold for $2,000 then leaked by a modder, making the game open-source and allowing the following:
– Making more advanced mods.
– Porting the game to new platforms.
– Creating new games with the existing codebase. pic.twitter.com/QnNSMpdyTj— GTA 6 Trailer Countdown ⏳ (@GTAVI_Countdown) December 28, 2023
The fact that the source code hack makes it easier to introduce cheats to Red Dead Online and GTA Online makes it far more serious. With access to the Red Engine’s design and workings, modders can now implement more hacks and workarounds for GTA 5. Developer can also port GTA 5 to new platforms once they get their hands on the source code.
“The GTA V producers, Rockstar Games, may be affected by the leak in ways that go beyond the game itself. Should comparable coding structures or methods be applied in the future, it might put projects like Grand Theft Auto 6 in danger,” a gaming specialist added.
In addition, developers are able to add to or alter the existing code in order to generate income from the time, money, and resources that Rockstar Games has put into it.