|
|
| (14 intermediate revisions by 9 users not shown) |
| Line 1: |
Line 1: |
| | {{StubNotice}} |
| | |
| {{InfoboxCompany | | {{InfoboxCompany |
| | Name = Rockstar Games | | | Name = Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. |
| | Type = Subsidiary | | | Type = Holding Company |
| | Founded = 1998 | | | Founded = 1993 |
| | Industry = Video games | | | Industry = Video games |
| | Official Website = https://rockstargames.com | | | Official Website = https://www.take2games.com/ |
| | Logo = QuestionMark.svg | | | Logo = Take-Two_Interactive_logo.png |
| }} | | }} |
|
| |
|
| '''[[wikipedia:Rockstar_Games|Rockstar Games, Inc]].''' is an American video-game publisher based in New York City. It is known for action-adventure game franchises such as ''Grand Theft Auto'' and ''Red Dead Redemption.'' | | '''[[wikipedia:Take-Two_Interactive|Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc.]]''' is an NYC-based video game holding company founded by Ryan Brant in September 1993. The company owns three major publishing labels, [[Rockstar Games]], Zynga and 2K, which operate internal game development studios. |
| | ==Relevant incidents== |
| | |
| | Incidents not mentioned here can be found on the [[:Category:Take-Two Interactive|Take-Two Interactive]] category page. |
| | |
| | 2K Games - exclusivity contracts (stub) |
| | |
| | Much like with EA, 2K has also purchased exclusivity contracts with sports [https://www.operationsports.com/the-nba-and-2k-have-agreed-to-a-huge-new-license-deal-what-does-it-mean/ leagues], thus also restricting options for consumers. (Maybe mention pga or wwe?) |
|
| |
|
| == Relevant incidents ==
| | 2k - personal data breaches (stub) |
|
| |
|
| ===''GTA 4'' content removal===
| | [https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/rockstar-owner-take-twos-hacking-woes-continue-as-2k-confirm-attack-on-their-support-service ref a] [https://www.rockpapershotgun.com/2k-confirms-user-data-stolen-and-placed-on-sale-after-recent-security-breach ref b] |
| Licensing for some songs in ''GTA 4'' have run out, and updates to the game have been removing content after purchase.<ref>https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/360001005308/Music-Updates-in-Grand-Theft-Auto-IV-The-Lost-and-Damned-and-The-Ballad-of-Gay-Tony</ref> A list of removed songs can be found here<ref>https://gtaforums.com/topic/908139-iv-song-removal-due-to-licenses-expiring/</ref> and here.<ref>https://www.reddit.com/r/Games/comments/8f4crm/the_update_for_gta_4_removes_songs_from_the/</ref> Players who purchased a physical disk copy can enjoy the full soundtrack but cannot update without losing content.
| |
|
| |
|
| ===''GTA 5'' move to kernel-level anti-cheat on PC after purchase===
| | 2k - faulty game launcher (stub) |
| ''GTA 5'' was released in 2013. On September 17, 2024 (11 years after release), Rockstar implemented a controversial update that included a more invasive and dangerous kernel-mode anti-cheat by BattlEye.<ref>https://store.steampowered.com/news/app/271590/view/6356356787200715684?l=english</ref>
| |
|
| |
|
| This update retroactively restricted online usage on the [[Windows]] OS, despite being fully functional on alternative operating systems like [[Linux]] and [[SteamOS]]. Despite Rockstar's claim that ''GTA 5 Online'' is not supported by [[Steam Deck]],<ref>https://support.rockstargames.com/articles/33490543992467/Grand-Theft-Auto-Online-BattlEye-FAQ</ref> ''GTA 5 Online'' did work prior to this breaking change. Furthermore, BattlEye actually is compatible with Linux<ref>https://x.com/TheBattlEye/status/1441477816311291906</ref>, and compatibility can be enabled by email,<ref>https://www.gamingonlinux.com/2021/11/supporting-linux-proton-and-the-steam-deck-with-battleye-is-just-an-email-away/</ref> yet Rockstar deliberately chooses not to take minimal steps to enable support.
| | [https://www.pcgamer.com/2ks-quality-of-life-change-for-bioshock-is-that-linux-users-cant-play-it-anymore/ Ref] |
|
| |
|
| In response, [[Valve]] has issued refunds for some Steam Deck and Linux users<ref>https://www.notebookcheck.net/Steam-grants-GTA-V-refunds-after-anti-cheat-strands-Steam-Deck-gamers-in-compatibility-purgatory.891105.0.html</ref> based on some criteria, such as hours played on Linux / Steam Deck.
| | 2k - shuttered studios (stub) |
|
| |
|
| Additionally, anti-cheat systems can be incredibly invasive with the ability to scan user's files and processes, including hardware identifiers, according to the [[privacy policy]]:<ref>https://www.battleye.com/privacy-policy/</ref> <blockquote>
| | [[wikipedia:2K_(company)|Wikipedia page ref]](note: use as springboard, find dedicated sources for history of buyouts and shuttering) |
| *IP address
| |
| *Game identifiers (e.g., in-game name, account ID)
| |
| *Hardware device information and identifiers (e.g., serial numbers)
| |
| *Information about the running operating system
| |
| *Information about files and memory related to the game or operating system
| |
| *Information about running processes, drivers, and other executable code
| |
| *File names included in other information listed here, which might also contain your operating-system user name
| |
| </blockquote>Because of the inherent privacy and security risks associated with kernel-mode anti-cheat, increasingly players and developers are demanding more transparency in the usage of kernel-mode software included in games. In response, Valve added a new transparency requirement for developers and publishers to disclose the use of more invasive kernel-mode anti-cheat solutions:<ref>https://steamcommunity.com/groups/steamworks/announcements/detail/4547038620960934857</ref><blockquote>We've heard from more and more developers recently that they're looking for the right way to share anti-cheat information about their game with players. At the same time, players have been requesting more transparency around the anti-cheat services used in games, as well as the existence of any additional software that will be installed within the game.</blockquote><blockquote>Going forward, when you submit a new game to Steam, '''if your game installs a client side, kernel mode anti-cheat, you will need to fill out this new field'''. We will be going through old games and contacting partners with games that fall into this category.
| |
|
| |
|
| If your game contains a client or server based anti-cheat that is not kernel based, submitting the field is optional but we generally think that any game that makes use of anti-cheat technology would benefit from letting players know.</blockquote><blockquote>'''Specifying Kernel-level Integration''' - Select this to let players know that your anti-cheat integration installs or modifies files at the OS kernel level for any modes of your game. This is automatically selected or disabled for the relevant common anti-cheat services in the drop-down menu.</blockquote>Kernal mode anti-cheat solutions carry inherently more risks to the player, as the anti-cheat installs drivers with elevated permissions and sometimes contains vulnerabilities<ref>https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/research/22/h/ransomware-actor-abuses-genshin-impact-anti-cheat-driver-to-kill-antivirus.html</ref> that can leave the user machine and data at risk, far beyond the risks when the software is isolated to user-mode permissions. Even Rockstar's own instructions suggest adding an exception to anti-virus, only increasing risk to players.<blockquote>While BattlEye is compatible with most antivirus software, you may run into issues if your antivirus does not recognize BattlEye. To avoid any potential problems, make sure to add BattlEye to your antivirus’ exception list.</blockquote>
| | General - Microtransactions (MTX) and lootboxes (stub) |
| | |
| | [https://screenrant.com/nba-2k-take-two-microtransactions-lawsuit-sports/ Ref] | should cover all 3 major companies owned by T2, ref covers 2k. Zynga's pioneering of predatory mtx needs to be covered (see cityville and Farmville games.) Rockstar, shark cards in GTAO? No clue how we could shoehorn this one. |
|
| |
|
| ==References== | | ==References== |
| <references /> | | <references /> |
| | |
| | [[Category:Take-Two Interactive]] |
Notice: This Article Requires Additional Expansion
This article is underdeveloped, and needs additional work to meet the wiki's Content Guidelines and be in line with our Mission Statement for comprehensive coverage of consumer protection issues. Issues may include:
- This article needs to be expanded to provide meaningful information
- This article requires additional verifiable evidence to demonstrate systemic impact
- More documentation is needed to establish how this reflects broader consumer protection concerns
- The connection between individual incidents and company-wide practices needs to be better established
- The article is simply too short, and lacks sufficient content
How You Can Help:
- Add documented examples with verifiable sources
- Provide evidence of similar incidents affecting other consumers
- Include relevant company policies or communications that demonstrate systemic practices
- Link to credible reporting that covers these issues
- Flesh out the article with relevant information
This notice will be removed once the article is sufficiently developed. Once you believe the article is ready to have its notice removed, visit the Discord (join here) and post to the #appeals channel, or mention its status on the article's talk page.
Take-Two Interactive Software, Inc. is an NYC-based video game holding company founded by Ryan Brant in September 1993. The company owns three major publishing labels, Rockstar Games, Zynga and 2K, which operate internal game development studios.
Incidents not mentioned here can be found on the Take-Two Interactive category page.
2K Games - exclusivity contracts (stub)
Much like with EA, 2K has also purchased exclusivity contracts with sports leagues, thus also restricting options for consumers. (Maybe mention pga or wwe?)
2k - personal data breaches (stub)
ref a ref b
2k - faulty game launcher (stub)
Ref
2k - shuttered studios (stub)
Wikipedia page ref(note: use as springboard, find dedicated sources for history of buyouts and shuttering)
General - Microtransactions (MTX) and lootboxes (stub)
Ref | should cover all 3 major companies owned by T2, ref covers 2k. Zynga's pioneering of predatory mtx needs to be covered (see cityville and Farmville games.) Rockstar, shark cards in GTAO? No clue how we could shoehorn this one.
