Hacker Demands $100 Million for Stolen Xbox Series X Graphics Source Code
By Liz Lanier
A hacker has stolen source code for the upcoming Xbox Series X and is holding it ransom for a reported $100 million, according to AMD and TorrentFreak, via IGN.
AMD stated on Wednesday that it was originally contacted by someone in December 2019 who claimed to have files related to both "current and future graphics products." It was only recently, however, that some of the files were posted online and have since been removed after a DMCA takedown request, the details of which can be found at GitHub.
"While we are aware the perpetrator has additional files that have not been made public, we believe the stolen graphics IP is not core to the competitiveness or security of our graphics products," AMD stated. "We are not aware of the perpetrator possessing any other AMD [Intellectual Property]."
TorrentFreak reports that the individual in question extracted a series of files from a hacked computer, pulling code for Navi 10, Navi 21, and Arden, the source for the upcoming console's GPU. The hacker identified herself as a woman and claims that she hasn't spoken to AMD out of fear of being sued by the company.
“I haven’t spoken to AMD about it because I am pretty sure that instead of accepting their mistake and moving on, they will try to sue me," the hacker reportedly told TorrentFreak. "So why not just leak it to everyone?”
The hacker stated that the plan is to leak the files only if a buyer for the source code doesn't come forward.
Want more on the next-gen console from Microsoft? Check out the full specs of the Xbox Series X. The Xbox Series X is slated for release Nov. 26 of this year.