In a startling turn of events, the notorious ransomware group known as Rhysida has resurfaced, this time targeting Sony’s game developer, Insomniac Games. The group, which had previously made headlines for its cyberattacks on the British Library, made a bold move by releasing over 1.3 million files from the gaming giant.
This cache of data reportedly includes a wide array of sensitive information, ranging from internal presentations and Slack screenshots to personal details of Insomniac Games’ employees. The breach occurred after Sony failed to meet Rhysida’s demand for a hefty ransom of $2 million, leaving the cybercriminals with no choice but to expose the stolen data.
As the cybersecurity community and gaming enthusiasts alike dig through the unverified 1.67 terabytes of pilfered data, some intriguing revelations have come to light. It appears that the stolen files contain insights into upcoming games that were in development at Insomniac Games.
According to reports from Cyber Daily, Sony Interactive had entered into an agreement with Marvel for the creation of a trilogy of X-Men games. The leak allegedly includes footage from the first game in this series, titled “Wolverine,” which has already started circulating across the internet. This unexpected glimpse into the world of X-Men gaming has ignited excitement among fans and speculations about what the trilogy might entail.
Furthermore, the leaked files shed light on other gaming projects within Insomniac Games. Among them are discussions about a potential “Spider-Man 3” game, a title centered around the iconic character Venom, and even a new installment in the beloved “Ratchet & Clank” series. These revelations have sparked anticipation and curiosity within the gaming community, as enthusiasts eagerly await official announcements from Sony and Insomniac Games.
However, the data breach did not solely revolve around game developments. Internal documents exposed in the hack reveal that Sony executives had significant concerns regarding Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, a deal that concluded in October. Sony’s apprehensions were outlined in a presentation slide, where they expressed worry that the acquisition could “disrupt and threaten” the console and game subscription markets by the year 2027.
Currently, Sony’s PlayStation platform reigns supreme in the console industry. Still, these internal discussions suggest that the gaming giant recognizes the potential for market dynamics to shift once Microsoft gains control of Activision’s highly popular “Call of Duty” franchise. As of now, the agreement ensures that “Call of Duty” remains on PlayStation platforms until 2027, but beyond that date, uncertainty looms.
In light of these significant developments, Morning Brew sought a response from Sony regarding the cyberattack and data leak. However, Sony declined to provide any comment or official statement on the matter.
As the gaming world grapples with the aftermath of this data breach, questions about the security of sensitive information and the impact on future game releases linger. With exciting gaming projects on the horizon and potential shifts in the industry’s landscape, the repercussions of Rhysida’s audacious cyberattack are likely to reverberate throughout the gaming community for some time to come.
