NEWS  Security  December 20, 2023  Reading time: ~1 minute)

Max (RS editor)

Insomniac, the acclaimed videogame studio behind Spider-Man 2, faces the aftermath of a significant ransomware attack. Last week, hackers demanded a staggering $2 million from Sony-owned Insomniac to prevent the public exposure of stolen information, which includes details about upcoming releases and work-in-progress footage of the highly anticipated Wolverine game.The breach has raised concerns, with leaked information reportedly encompassing private employee data and internal company emails. The severity of the attack prompted fellow game developers, journalists, and fans to condemn the incident, emphasizing the importance of not sharing or republishing any compromised content.

Amid the chaos, Remedy Games, known for Alan Wake 2, expressed solidarity with the affected Insomniac team. They condemned the hackers for leaking personal employee information, calling it "disgraceful and shameful."

Insomniac, which had previously revealed limited details about the Wolverine game through a teaser trailer in 2021, now faces the challenge of containing the fallout from the cyberattack. The ransomware group Rhysida claimed responsibility for the breach and linked it to a similar attack on the British Library last month.

Ransomware attacks deploy malicious software to infiltrate a company's computer network, encrypting files and demanding payment for their restoration. This incident is the latest in a series of high-profile game studio leaks, following the online exposure of details about Rockstar Games' Grand Theft Auto 6 last year. Notably, a different group was responsible for the Grand Theft Auto 6 breach, which also targeted Uber and Nvidia.

The gaming industry faces increasing cybersecurity threats, and the aftermath of such attacks highlights the vulnerability of studios to data breaches. As Insomniac grapples with the aftermath, the incident serves as a stark reminder of the importance of robust cybersecurity measures in safeguarding sensitive information within the gaming sector. 

 IMAGE CREDITS: INSOMNIAC STUDIOS