GTA 6 full map and gameplay leaks online in protest from disgruntled 'fans'

Our next look at Grand Theft Auto VI was scheduled to drop during next week's GTA VI: An Extended Look, a special due to air on Netflix on August 27 at 12pm PT / 3pm ET / 8pm BST / 9pm CEST.

For those without a subscription, the special is airing for free on Rockstar Games' YouTube channel six hours later.

Rockstar is yet to detail exactly what the special will include, but it's widely expected to feature an extended look at gameplay, a new trailer, and a glimpse at GTA VI's map and side activities.

Unfortunately, some of those things seem to have leaked early - and that's the work of one very disgruntled group.

Gameplay confirms a mini-game, with GTA 6's map looking just as huge as we'd hoped

Rockstar Games

Take-Two Interactive is desperately trying to issue takedown orders after an array of gameplay clips and a first look at GTA VI's map leaked online with the leaker claiming to be protesting GTA VI's decision to launch without a disc.

Instead, 'physical' copies of GTA VI will launch as a 'code in a box'.

As the materials have been leaked, we won't be hosting them here to show you. However, there are two gameplay clips and an image of the map widely circulating on social media.

In one clip, male protagonist Jason could be seen driving a car before launching an attack on an NPC. In the other, he could be seen playing basketball, prompting theories that basketball may indeed be a playable mini-game as suspected.

A cyber group is protesting the gaming industry's shift to a digital future

GTA 6 scooter lady

A website and group by the name of CyberLeek has claimed responsibility for the leak, with three demands having been declared to Rockstar Games; if those demands aren't met, the threat is that more footage will be released.

"CYBERLEEK has been patience. That patience is over. What follows are three commandments: if CYBERLEEK targets a publisher, it is because that publisher broke one. CYBERLEEK will not stop until they issue a public statement and apology with a concrete commitment to be better. Words are not enough; restitution is mandatory," read the manifesto from the group.

They then offered three "commandments":

• "Thou shalt not sell digital pre-orders."
• "Thou shalt not sell fake single-player DLC," referring to content already locked within a game's files.
• "Thou shalt preserve single-player content," adding that games must have an "offline fallback state".

These demands do align with many fears and concerns gamers have about the future industry. That doesn't, of course, mean that Rockstar deserved this attack or that this was the correct path to be taken.

It may not be the only publisher affected either. In a "final word", the group added: "These three commandments are the floor—not the ceiling—of what is acceptable. If publishers violate them, they will be targeted. CYBERLEEK will continue to disrupt their operations until they issue a public statement and apology with a concrete commitment to fix the harm they caused. No private negotiations. No quiet settlements. The public sees it, or the leeks do not stop. Publishers should beware. If CYBERLEEK can reach Rockstar, no one is safe. This is a message to all big corpo: behave properly, or be the next target. This is CYBERLEEK’s edict, and it is non-negotiable."

It feels very significant that PlayStation notably recently announced its all-digital future with no physical disc copies of games being produced from January 2028.

Again, Take-Two has been quick to take down as much of the leaked content as possible, but that seemingly may not stop CyberLeek from releasing more if they are indeed the group behind the attack.

It's far too late in the game for Rockstar Games to u-turn its decision on 'code in a box' copies for launch, which poses a tricky question: how is this ransom going to be resolved?

If you recall, a former GTA VI trailer leaked online, and Rockstar Games responded by releasing the full trailer early.

Presumably, the new leaked materials come from within the Netflix special. Could the Netflix special have its release moved forward to take power away from the leakers?

How has Rockstar Games and the gaming community responded?

GTA 6

Out of respect for developers, leaks should be ignored, but you can imagine that hopeful gamers are all over this. Thankfully, the leaked materials are drumming up extra hype for the highly anticipated title.

"This GTA VI map absolutely crushes that old fake map that got leaked," wrote one gamer on Twitter/X.

"Game looks sick af bro," added another, responding to gameplay.

As for what else the leak has taught us, it's looking as if GTA VI will feature a six-star wanted system and a karma or reputation system similar to that which you'll find in Red Dead Redemption 2.

Police also look to recognise your face and getaway car, while cars will need to be fuelled up. Crashing a car depletes the player's health, while NPCs can also exhibit road rage against you.

Rockstar Games is yet to respond to the leak, and CyberLeek is yet to announce its next move.