The video game studio responsible for Spider-Man 2, Insomniac Games, has fallen victim to a ransomware attack. The perpetrators, demanding a $2 million ransom from the Sony-owned company, threatened to expose stolen information if their demands were not met.
Sensitive information including details about upcoming releases and work-in-progress footage of Insomniac’s highly anticipated Wolverine game for the PlayStation 5, surfaced online. The leaked data reportedly includes private employee information and internal company emails.
The leaked information has triggered condemnation from fellow game developers, journalists, and fans alike. Calls to refrain from sharing or republishing the content have resonated throughout the gaming community.
Remedy Games, the developer behind Alan Wake 2, expressed sympathy for the affected Insomniac team members, denouncing the attack and the release of employees’ personal information as shameful.
Insomniac Games, recognized for its work on the Spider-Man series, had offered limited official details about the Wolverine game. The only information released was a teaser trailer in 2021, accompanied by confirmation that the game would feature a “mature” tone compared to the Spider-Man titles.
The ransomware group responsible for the attack, identified as Rhysida, has claimed responsibility. Rhysida also confirmed its involvement in a similar attack on the British Library the previous month. The attack method involves deploying malicious software to infect a company’s computer network, encrypting files, and demanding payment for their restoration.
This incident follows a trend of high-profile leaks from game studios, such as the disclosure of details about Rockstar Games’ Grand Theft Auto 6 last year. This previous attack was executed by a different group, which had also targeted Uber and graphics card manufacturer Nvidia. In a UK court, it was revealed that an 18-year-old member of the group had released the stolen content while on bail in a Travelodge hotel.