In a distressing turn of events, renowned video game developer Insomniac Games, famous for the acclaimed Marvel’s Spider-Man series, faces a Bitcoin ransom threat. The hacking group Rhysida demands 50 Bitcoin (around US$2 million) and threatens to expose sensitive information about the upcoming Marvel’s Wolverine game if the ransom isn't paid within seven days.
Developer's Data Auctioned for 50 BTC
Rhysida, claiming to have successfully breached Insomniac Games' systems, has already shared limited proof of the hack. This includes an annotated screenshot from Marvel’s Wolverine and character art suggesting potential Marvel characters in the game. Notably, passport scans of Insomniac employees, including a former employee now at Disney, and personal documents of Yuri Lowenthal, the voice actor for Spider-Man, were exposed.
Internal Documents and Emails Leaked
The compromised data extends to internal emails and signed confidential documents, emphasizing the severity of the breach. Rhysida, leveraging the stolen data, initiates an auction, starting at 50 BTC, where the buyer becomes the exclusive owner of the acquired information.
Countdown to Exclusive Data Auction
Rhysida urges interested parties to act within the 7-day timeframe before the full data set becomes public. The cybercriminals stress the exclusivity of the data, prohibiting reselling, and emphasize that the buyer will be the sole owner.
Insomniac Games is yet to release an official statement on the cyber attack. As the deadline approaches, the gaming and Bitcoin communities anxiously await a resolution to protect Marvel’s Wolverine game's integrity and hold the perpetrators accountable for their actions.