The game studio behind 'Cyberpunk 2077' and 'The Witcher 3' has been hacked, and the attackers are threatening to release the source code to both games
- The game studio behind "Cyberpunk 2077" and "The Witcher 3" has been hacked, it said on Tuesday.
- Moreover, the hackers took the source code for both games.
- Access to source code allows software pirates to remove anti-piracy tools and distribute games.
Less than two months after the disastrous launch of 2020's most hotly-anticipated game, the studio behind "Cyberpunk 2077" has been hacked.
Polish game development house CD Projekt Red announced on Tuesday morning that its computer systems were breached, and that the hackers were able to retrieve the source code for both "Cyberpunk 2077" and "The Witcher 3."
Source code is closely guarded by game development studios as it enables easy access to removing anti-piracy and anti-cheat software. Theoretically, the hackers could strip anti-piracy measures from both games and distribute them for free online.
CD Projekt Red said it isn't negotiating with the hackers.
"We will not give in to demands or negotiate with the actor," the company said on Twitter,"being aware that this may eventually lead to the release of the compromised data." CD Projekt Red said it is working with authorities to determine its next steps.
Alongside the announcement, the game studio shared an image of the hacker's message, which said they took source code for "Cyberpunk 2077," "The Witcher 3," "Gwent," and "the unreleased version of Witcher 3." In addition to game source code, the hacker said they took, "all of your documents relating to accounting, administration, legal, HR, investor relations and more." The hacker also said they encrypted the company's servers.
In its statement, CD Projekt Red said the stolen data didn't include personal information gathered from its players.
You can read the statement in full right here: