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[cormack12]

Source: https://www.pcgamer.com/hackers-beg...after-vice-refuses-to-help-them-blackmail-ea/

Hackers reportedly stole FIFA 21 and Frostbite Engine source code in June, but Electronic Arts is refusing to pay a ransom.

In June, hackers breached Electronic Arts data servers and reportedly made off with the full source code for FIFA 21 and the Frostbite Engine that's used in EA shooters including the upcoming Battlefield 2042. Shortly thereafter, according to a new Vice report, they attempted to extort the publisher, an effort that met with failure—so now, they're beginning to release the source code publicly.

"Few week ago we send email for ransome [sic] to EA but we dont get any response so we will posting the [source]," the hackers wrote in a message. "If they dont contact us or dont pay us we will keep posting it."

Motherboard, Vice's tech section, reported that it saw a copy of a 1.3GB cache released by the hackers that includes references to Electronic Arts' internal tools and Origin, EA's digital storefront. Despite the escalation, Electronic Arts made clear that it's not going to play ball.

"We're aware of the recent posts by the alleged hackers and we are analyzing the files released," it said in a statement. "At this time, we continue to believe that it does not contain data that poses any concern to player privacy, and we have no reason to believe that there is any material risk to our games, our business or our players. We continue to work with federal law enforcement officials as part of this ongoing criminal investigation."

What makes this case unusual, though (and if we're being completely honest about it, pretty funny) is that after weeks of being ignored by EA, the data thieves tried to enlist help from an unexpected third party.

"The hackers asked Motherboard to directly deliver an extortion message to EA on their behalf," the site wrote. "Motherboard declined to do so."

 

[HarryKS]

Screw those hackers.No honour among thieves. Scum and parasites.

 

[jaysius]

Jesus, is they let the frostbite source code out, out won't that make the new BF and the previous ones bigger hack fests than they already are/will be.

It's funny that these guys are getting thirsty, but having all that data out in the wild isn't good for EA or it's customers.

I can see why they're not giving in, economic terrorists shouldn't be bargained with, but they also owe it to their current and future customers to protect their key assets better.

These games are happening more and more to all kinds of companies that cheap out on cyber security. EA can afford better security tech then most.

 

[captainraincoat]

Would be funny if some garage devs get the source code and make a better game than the yearly wallet rape ea gets away with

 

[nani17]

Screw those hackers.No honour among thieves. Scum and parasites.

Yes, I do agree Ea are scum and parasites who use gambling tactics for their games .....oh wait you're talking about the hackers should have read the full sentence

 

[HarryKS]

Yes, I do agree Ea are scum and parasites who use gambling tactics for their games .....oh wait you're talking about the hackers should have read the full sentence

It works for both.

 

[Wandering Leopard]

 

[ZywyPL]

 

[lh032]

HOpefully Sony gets the frostbite engine and remake Jak series

 

[TheKratos]

Yes, I do agree Ea are scum and parasites who use gambling tactics for their games .....oh wait you're talking about the hackers should have read the full sentence

Oh for fucks sake. I hope the hackers get fucked.

 

[Panajev2001a]

Source: https://www.pcgamer.com/hackers-beg...after-vice-refuses-to-help-them-blackmail-ea/

Hackers reportedly stole FIFA 21 and Frostbite Engine source code in June, but Electronic Arts is refusing to pay a ransom.

In June, hackers breached Electronic Arts data servers and reportedly made off with the full source code for FIFA 21 and the Frostbite Engine that's used in EA shooters including the upcoming Battlefield 2042. Shortly thereafter, according to a new Vice report, they attempted to extort the publisher, an effort that met with failure—so now, they're beginning to release the source code publicly.

"Few week ago we send email for ransome [sic] to EA but we dont get any response so we will posting the [source]," the hackers wrote in a message. "If they dont contact us or dont pay us we will keep posting it."

Motherboard, Vice's tech section, reported that it saw a copy of a 1.3GB cache released by the hackers that includes references to Electronic Arts' internal tools and Origin, EA's digital storefront. Despite the escalation, Electronic Arts made clear that it's not going to play ball.

"We're aware of the recent posts by the alleged hackers and we are analyzing the files released," it said in a statement. "At this time, we continue to believe that it does not contain data that poses any concern to player privacy, and we have no reason to believe that there is any material risk to our games, our business or our players. We continue to work with federal law enforcement officials as part of this ongoing criminal investigation."

What makes this case unusual, though (and if we're being completely honest about it, pretty funny) is that after weeks of being ignored by EA, the data thieves tried to enlist help from an unexpected third party.

"The hackers asked Motherboard to directly deliver an extortion message to EA on their behalf," the site wrote. "Motherboard declined to do so."

FIFA 21 code, jokes is on the hackers…

 

[Strider Highwind]

FIFA 21 code, jokes is on the hackers…

I instantly thought oh so they got fifa 17 code forreal, forreal

 

[ClosBSAS]

Maybe we can compile a fifa 21 worthy of its name without bs scripting and mtx

 

[ANDS]

Serious about doing. . .what? I'm not a tech fella so what's the threat here? That hackers will get it and more easily cheat in PC games?

. . .so close.

 

[MayauMiao]

They are going to release the source code anyway. EA, as much as I hate them, should just make the right move and ignore their demands.

 

[Neilg]

EA know there's only about 30 people that know how to use frostbite so they're not bothered about it getting out.

Maybe they're hoping someone will download it, figure it out, and then they can offer them a job.

 

[Sp3eD]

No point in bowing to their demands. If they have the code then there is nothing stopping them from doing it again in a few months if they were to give in.

 

[Kerotan]

Jesus, is they let the frostbite source code out, out won't that make the new BF and the previous ones bigger hack fests than they already are/will be.

It's funny that these guys are getting thirsty, but having all that data out in the wild isn't good for EA or it's customers.

I can see why they're not giving in, economic terrorists shouldn't be bargained with, but they also owe it to their current and future customers to protect their key assets better.

These games are happening more and more to all kinds of companies that cheap out on cyber security. EA can afford better security tech then most.

Not on console baby. Battlefield V on pc is unplayable with hackers. PlayStation is the place to play with cross play not forced.

 

[midasmulligan]

Come to find out, code hasn’t changed since FIFA 99…

 

[jaysius]

Not on console baby. Battlefield V on pc is unplayable with hackers. PlayStation is the place to play with cross play not forced.

Yea cross play needs to be strictly between consoles, allowing PC into that mix is the biggest mistake ever.

 

[StreetsofBeige]

Hackers, release the NHL code so some other studio can leach off it and improve it.

The core NHL gameplay engine hasnt changed since the 360 days. Atrocious. Got so bad I havent bought a copy since I think NHL 16. And before that it was NHL 13.

 

[Agent_Nobody]

I really don’t know what the hackers expected here. EA isn’t going to pay them for their own source code, and knowing they have it and pretty much exactly what they have, allows them to mitigate any hacking etc. that might arise from it’s release; making it so third parties have absolutely no reason to want it either (not to mention threatening to release it for free, gives them even less reason to want it).

They would have more success trying to sell a roadkill skunk at this point.

 

[Kerotan]

Yea cross play needs to be strictly between consoles, allowing PC into that mix is the biggest mistake ever.

In some games it's fine. I have it turned on for rocket league and there's never any issues.

 

[Impotaku]

Looks like hackers went through with their threat, the entire lot has been uploaded online now.

Hackers leak full EA data after failed extortion attempt

The hackers who breached Electronic Arts last month have released the entire cache of stolen data after failing to extort the company and later sell the stolen files to a third-party buyer.

therecord.media

 

[TheDreadLord]

Would be funny if some garage devs get the source code and make a better game than the yearly wallet rape ea gets away with

Probably a Chinese company will do that. And the final product will, very likely, be better than what EA has been producing.

 

[Spukc]

Screw those hackers.No honour among thieves. Scum and parasites.

No fuck EA
Sell the stolen code BACK to EA as MTX

 

[Diatribe1974]

EA is like "Shit, our own employees barely can use the fucking engine, the average joe out there sure as shit won't be able to make heads or tails outta it. Let them release it."

 

[eyesabitdull]

Looks like hackers went through with their threat, the entire lot has been uploaded online now.

Hackers leak full EA data after failed extortion attempt

The hackers who breached Electronic Arts last month have released the entire cache of stolen data after failing to extort the company and later sell the stolen files to a third-party buyer.

therecord.media

EA, probably:

 

[Imagine Wagons]

I dare the hackers to build FIFA from source

 

[Tschumi]

i don't know why, this just came to mind

 

[Orta]

Fuck EA.

 

[WitchHunter]

Would be funny if some garage devs get the source code and make a better game than the yearly wallet rape ea gets away with

And then you need an army of lawyers and a few miracles.

 

[JLB]

This is not a joke, and everybody should be on EA´s side on this.

 

[nikolino840]

No point in bowing to their demands. If they have the code then there is nothing stopping them from doing it again in a few months if they were to give in.

Maybe are honests..like robin hood ...

 

[Impotaku]

This is not a joke, and everybody should be on EA´s side on this.

EA can go bust for all i care, fuck em. The gaming world would be better off without their predatory shit.

 

[Polelock]

EA can go bust for all i care, fuck em. The gaming world would be better off without their predatory shit.

Facts.

 

[JLB]

EA can go bust for all i care, fuck em. The gaming world would be better off without their predatory shit.

ransom is a bad thing. Period. Raping a rapist is not a solution, we should know that by now.

 

[Negotiator101]

Source: https://www.pcgamer.com/hackers-beg...after-vice-refuses-to-help-them-blackmail-ea/

Hackers reportedly stole FIFA 21 and Frostbite Engine source code in June, but Electronic Arts is refusing to pay a ransom.

In June, hackers breached Electronic Arts data servers and reportedly made off with the full source code for FIFA 21 and the Frostbite Engine that's used in EA shooters including the upcoming Battlefield 2042. Shortly thereafter, according to a new Vice report, they attempted to extort the publisher, an effort that met with failure—so now, they're beginning to release the source code publicly.

"Few week ago we send email for ransome [sic] to EA but we dont get any response so we will posting the [source]," the hackers wrote in a message. "If they dont contact us or dont pay us we will keep posting it."

Motherboard, Vice's tech section, reported that it saw a copy of a 1.3GB cache released by the hackers that includes references to Electronic Arts' internal tools and Origin, EA's digital storefront. Despite the escalation, Electronic Arts made clear that it's not going to play ball.

"We're aware of the recent posts by the alleged hackers and we are analyzing the files released," it said in a statement. "At this time, we continue to believe that it does not contain data that poses any concern to player privacy, and we have no reason to believe that there is any material risk to our games, our business or our players. We continue to work with federal law enforcement officials as part of this ongoing criminal investigation."

What makes this case unusual, though (and if we're being completely honest about it, pretty funny) is that after weeks of being ignored by EA, the data thieves tried to enlist help from an unexpected third party.

"The hackers asked Motherboard to directly deliver an extortion message to EA on their behalf," the site wrote. "Motherboard declined to do so."

 

[Impotaku]

ransom is a bad thing. Period. Raping a rapist is not a solution, we should know that by now.

IF it was for some indie that put out really well made games i'd feel sorry but this is EA. I really can't spare any fucks for them at all, like i said before the gaming world would be better off without them in fact add ubisoft and activision to the list too. Western gaming is shit in general. Broken full prices mtx riddled games. This is supposed AAA gaming lol

 

[Mr Moose]

This is not a joke, and everybody should be on EA´s side on this.

Can I be on no ones side and hope both sides get fucked over?

 

[01011001]

honest question, why should EA care if the source code for their engine gets leaked? who the fuck cares? if someone actually uses it they sue them for copyright infringement, and why should anyone do anything with the code? aimbotters and hackers never needed the source code for an engine to hack games, pirates never needed it to crack games...

I really fail to see why EA should care and why the hackers think that EA would care?

 

[Aenima]

Would be funny if some garage devs get the source code and make a better game than the yearly wallet rape ea gets away with

Fifa success dont come from the engine, come from the lincenced teams, equipments, stadiums, leagues etc that is above what Konami is able to do with PES.

PES had a better engine, and better gameplay at some points, FIFA still came out on top because of the amount of lincenced stuff. And now with the Ultimate Team mode in it, that is like heroin for addicts, thers no way EA lose they audience to some unknown studio.

As long as the Ultimate Team slot machine is oiled up and printing money, they dont give a shit if anyone else grabs the code.

 

[TheMan]

Yeah I doubt EA care very much. Don't these games end up hacked anyway? Not sure how this would really change things.

 

[Zannegan]

I don't get to say this very often, but, good for EA.

 

[reinking]

 

[ReBurn]

honest question, why should EA care if the source code for their engine gets leaked? who the fuck cares? if someone actually uses it they sue them for copyright infringement, and why should anyone do anything with the code? aimbotters and hackers never needed the source code for an engine to hack games, pirates never needed it to crack games...

I really fail to see why EA should care and why the hackers think that EA would care?

Because intellectual property is valuable. Frostbite leaking could allow other developers to use the engine or technology from it to build games that compete with EA. EA would have no way to know. To successfully sue you have to be able prove that you have been damaged and courts aren't going to just make anyone you think stole from you hand over their source code,for,inspection.

I would like to see what the larger dev community could make with it, though. That would be cool.

 

[RoboFu]

Because intellectual property is valuable. Frostbite leaking could allow other developers to use the engine or technology from it to build games that compete with EA. EA would have no way to know. To successfully sue you have to be able prove that you have been damaged and courts aren't going to just make anyone you think stole from you hand over their source code,for,inspection.

I would like to see what the larger dev community could make with it, though. That would be cool.

Nah, there are so many free game engines including the grand daddy unreal. They all do the same things. Ea has their own because it’s more cost effective in the long term.

 

[01011001]

Because intellectual property is valuable. Frostbite leaking could allow other developers to use the engine or technology from it to build games that compete with EA. EA would have no way to know. To successfully sue you have to be able prove that you have been damaged and courts aren't going to just make anyone you think stole from you hand over their source code,for,inspection.

I would like to see what the larger dev community could make with it, though. That would be cool.

noone is gonna do that tho? why even risk it... it only takes a few lines of code that are clearly directly derived from Frostbite to get into trouble. and also there are competing engines you can use that are not necessarily worse and have full documentation you can use + you have support points through forums, an asset store etc.

using Frostbite would be just not worth it for anyone I feel.

 

[WitchHunter]

honest question, why should EA care if the source code for their engine gets leaked? who the fuck cares? if someone actually uses it they sue them for copyright infringement, and why should anyone do anything with the code? aimbotters and hackers never needed the source code for an engine to hack games, pirates never needed it to crack games...

I really fail to see why EA should care and why the hackers think that EA would care?

Well, journos should ask a competent fella what's the difference (lets say in developer hours) between engines these days on the market and which one is the most advanced. But they rarely ask the important questions.

 

[01011001]

Well, journos should ask a competent fella what's the difference (lets say in developer hours) between engines these days on the market and which one is the most advanced. But they rarely ask the important questions.

in no scenario would it be of any benefit for an upcoming developer to use Frostbite, which has no public documentation and no support from any source should you have issues. and no big company would ever use it because even the PR debacle if people found out they basically use stolen code would not be worth it.
so even if Frostbite was easy to use it would not be used by anyone outside of EA even if leaked.

even at EA internal studios there was a bunch of issues with the engine for some devs.