Joystiq

Report: UK retailer GAME's customer database breached

JC Fletcher — Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:30:00 EST

A customer database belonging to UK retailer GAME has been breached, as has one belonging to Australian website Catalyst-Gaming, MCV reports. A list of over 2000 customer usernames, email addresses, and hashed passwords has been released.

GAME denied that it's been hacked. "The published email addresses are not registered users of GAME.co.uk, and there has been no breach of our database security." That leaves catalyst-gaming as a potential source of email addresses. Regardless, if you've used either site recently, a password change wouldn't hurt.

Report: UK retailer GAME's customer database breached originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 16 Jan 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Report: LulzSec hacking group releases thousands of account logins, includes Xbox Live and Facebook [update]

Ben Gilbert — Fri, 17 Jun 2011 19:15:00 EST

Adding to the list of game-related companies it has attacked, LulzSec yesterday claimed to have stolen and leaked the login and password information for approximately 62,000 "internet accounts," reports the CBC. The stolen info is said to comprise logins/passwords from Facebook, Twitter, "dating sites," PayPal and, notoriously, Xbox Live. It is also claimed that the majority of accounts are from the United states, though several other countries are named in the report.

The account database info is still currently available through the LulzSec website (though we'd suggest not visiting) -- various folks on Twitter responding to the group claim to have done a variety of things with the information, from having a large pack of condoms delivered to an elderly woman, to one person saying they bilked a PayPal account for £250 ($404).

Earlier this week, the group attacked and successfully took down a handful of game industry websites, including EVE Online, Minecraft and The Escapist. All three sites quickly recovered and have been online since. Microsoft has yet to respond to request for comment on yesterday evening's alleged breach.

Update: Microsoft has released a statement, which states that Xbox Live was not compromised to the best of Microsoft's knowledge, and the logins/passwords were released at random, with people encouraged to try said information on services like Xbox Live (among others). "This group appears to have posted a list of thousands of potential email addresses and passwords, and encouraged users to try them across various online sites like Xbox Live in the event one of the users happens to use the same password and email address combination. At this time we do not have any evidence Xbox Live has been compromised. However we take the security of our service seriously and work on an ongoing basis to improve it against evolving threats."

Report: LulzSec hacking group releases thousands of account logins, includes Xbox Live and Facebook [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 17 Jun 2011 19:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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PSA: Breach patched for lag on XBLA, trial time extended

Richard Mitchell — Tue, 15 Feb 2011 03:00:00 EST

Following in the footsteps of its PC counterpart, the XBLA version of Breach is now patched. The update fixes "all known crashes," addresses lag issues and squashes a number of bugs, according to developer Atomic Games. Check out the full list of fixes after the break.

Additionally, the time limit for online play in the free trial version of the game has been extended to one hour. As an added bonus, those who've already exhausted their free trials will receive the new, full hour. The full title update is available now and will be automatically applied upon starting Breach.

Continue reading PSA: Breach patched for lag on XBLA, trial time extended

PSA: Breach patched for lag on XBLA, trial time extended originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 15 Feb 2011 03:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Breach patch claims to reduce lag on PC

JC Fletcher — Tue, 08 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST

Atomic Games announced a patch for the PC version of its downloadable shooter, Breach, designed to ameliorate lag issues. Along with "many" fixes for the lag problems, the patch corrects a number of bugs, including errors found in Sole Survivor and Retrieval games. Find the full patch notes after the break to find out if your favorite bug has been addressed.

The new patch allows players to run Dedicated Server matches without having the Steam client running (see more info on dedicated servers here), and also adds user-configurable ports for the dedicated server function.

Continue reading Breach patch claims to reduce lag on PC

Breach patch claims to reduce lag on PC originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 08 Feb 2011 10:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Breach review: Once more unto the FPS

Richard Mitchell — Wed, 26 Jan 2011 14:02:00 EST

If there's one genre that's stuffed to the gills on both consoles and PC, it's the shooter. Even the downloadable space is full of competition these days, with titles like Battlefield 1943, Monday Night Combat and Blacklight: Tango Down all fighting to pull players away from the yearly deluge of big-budget retail titles. As such, it's gravely important that any new FPS -- especially a lower profile downloadable title -- has something that separates it from the crowd. Breach has some well-executed ideas and some cool real-world gadgets, but I'm not sure what that hook is supposed to be.

Gallery: Breach (1/14/11)

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Breach review: Once more unto the FPS originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 14:02:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Breach trailer shows off all its wonderful toys

Mike Schramm — Thu, 20 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST

This trailer from Atomic Games' Breach is like the Consumer Electronics Show of killing guys -- all the hottest gadgets are on display, from IR sights that let you take out snipers to motion sensor activators. The downloadable game is out January 26, but you can see the gear in action right now.

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Breach trailer shows off all its wonderful toys originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 20 Jan 2011 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Breach release date broached: January 26

Richard Mitchell — Fri, 14 Jan 2011 10:26:00 EST

Breach -- the game one guy breached the law to get an early copy of -- has finally been dated for release on Wednesday, January 26 by developer Atomic Games, which will self-publish the title. The date applies to the "worldwide" availability of both the XBLA and PC versions of the multiplayer shooter, breaching initial plans to stagger the releases starting this past summer.

The PC version -- available in boxed-copy format or as a download -- will retail for $20, while the XBLA game has been set at $15 (1200 points). The premium PC edition will indeed be backed by a little more oomph, featuring Nvidia PhysX tech (i.e., "larger explosions"), a "higher performance" Hardcore Mode ("to play the way operatives train") and dedicated servers.

Breach the break [STOP THAT - Ed.] for some new gameplay footage.

Continue reading Breach release date broached: January 26

Breach release date broached: January 26 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 14 Jan 2011 10:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Atomic Games still wants to finish Six Days in Fallujah

Mike Schramm — Tue, 16 Nov 2010 20:25:00 EST

The saga of Six Days in Fallujah hasn't completely ended yet -- Atomic Games' Peter Tamte admits that the game isn't actually finished (no duh), but tells VG247 that "what we need is the funding to complete it." While showing off the company's new downloadable shooter, Breach, to journalists in London, Tamte said that publishers just aren't willing to commit to telling stories like the ones told in Six Days, and that's resulting in falling industry sales. "It should be clear to them," Tamte says, "that the path we are on right now is taking us downhill. And yet when I have conversations with publishers, I still get the message back - 'No, we pretty much want to keep doing what we're doing.'"

Atomic is trying to counteract that with Breach, a full-scale military shooter that's being sold for a DLC price, designed "to disrupt the way games are priced and to create an environment where original content can flourish." Breach isn't Six Days remade -- rather, it's a re-use of the engine that Atomic developed, along with some tries at strong innovation in terms of destructible environments and cover. And it sounds like Tamte hopes that Breach will make finishing and publishing Six Days possible again. Sounds good, but of course let's get one game out there before we start promising two -- Breach is scheduled for release sometime next year.

Atomic Games still wants to finish Six Days in Fallujah originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 16 Nov 2010 20:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Breach thief placed on pre-trial probation, must stay off Xbox Live

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 27 Oct 2010 15:30:00 EST

Justin May, the man accused of attempting to steal Atomic Games' unreleased title Breach during PAX East, was placed on pre-trial probation in Boston Municipal Court yesterday. Suffolk County District Attorney Press Secretary Jake Wark informed Joystiq that the conditions of the probation are that May "stay in school, not reoffend, stay off of Xbox Live web sites, and forfeit his computer, which was seized at the time of his arrest." If May follows the conditions, his case will be dismissed after 18 months. If not, he'll be "put back on track for trial."

May was arrested last March when he attempted to steal Breach from the PAX East show floor. He then skipped bail and eventually agreed to show up for court in May, with the latest hearing set for yesterday. We've contacted Atomic Games for comment on the outcome.

Update: Atomic Games' president Peter Tamte's statement after the break.

Continue reading Breach thief placed on pre-trial probation, must stay off Xbox Live

Breach thief placed on pre-trial probation, must stay off Xbox Live originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 27 Oct 2010 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Breach delayed until January 2011

Justin McElroy — Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:05:00 EST

Filed under: Weird But True, Opinions, New In Pop Culture

It seems alleged Breach code thief Justin May could have gotten a sneakier peek than even he would have expected. Atomic Games has just announced that its XBLA shooter won't arrive this summer as previously announced, but rather in January of 2011. Though Atomic says the game is finished now, the company missed Breach's originally slated June date, and the XBLA schedule was apparently just too full to slip it in any sooner than January.

In the interim, the developer will be adding a "Hardcore" mode, which is apparently lifted from more realistic versions of the game that outside organizations commissioned for training purposes.

Well, you're welcome, Jack Thompson.

Gallery: Breach

Continue reading Breach delayed until January 2011

Breach delayed until January 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 16 Jul 2010 10:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Accused PAX East 'Breach' thief shows up for court

Alexander Sliwinski — Wed, 19 May 2010 10:30:00 EST

Justin May, the 20-year-old man accused of trying to steal Atomic Games' Breach off the PAX East show floor, finally showed up in court today -- after previously skipping bail and eventually agreeing to appear for arraignment. Assistant District Attorney Kate Clayman briefly recited the facts of the case in Boston Municipal Court this morning and the judge released May on his own recognizance. No monetary bail was set.

Suffolk County District Attorney Press Secretary Jake Wark told Joystiq that May will return to court with his defense attorney on June 27 to file a motion to dismiss the case.

According to Atomic Games' complaint filed with Boston police, the company placed the value of Breach "in excess of $6 million." We're currently following up with Atomic Games and the District Attorney's office to find out how events are expected to proceed from here.

Update: Comment from Atomic and the DA's office after the break.

Gallery: Breach

Continue reading Accused PAX East 'Breach' thief shows up for court

Accused PAX East 'Breach' thief shows up for court originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 19 May 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Alleged PAX East 'Breach' thief agrees to appear May 19 in Mass. court

Alexander Sliwinski — Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:30:00 EST

Justin May, the man who allegedly attempted to steal Atomic Games' Breach at PAX East, has agreed to appear for arraignment in Boston Municipal Court on May 19, according to the Suffolk County District Attorney's Office. May was originally supposed to show up for his arraignment on Tuesday, March 30, but apparently decided he had more important things to do.

May is accused of attempting to steal Breach, which Atomic Games values "in excess of $6 million." According to Suffolk Country District Attorney Press Secretary Jake Wark, May faces a maximum of five years for each of the the two theft charges and fines. We're currently following up to find out if he faces any additional charges for not showing up in court this week.

A representative for Atomic Games tells Joystiq, "Atomic Games is happy to see justice being served. We hope the court understands the severity of the crime. This is a theft that impacts not just our company, but all developers who want to share our games with the public at large shows, such as PAX."

Update: When asked if May would face any additional charges for skipping bail, press secretary Wark told us, "No, no additional charges at this point. He actually contacted the court upon learning of the default warrant and made arrangements to postpone the court date. Given that he and his whereabouts are known to authorities, that he has no criminal record, and that he affirmatively contacted the court, his request was granted. At the end of the day here, we aren't exactly dealing with John Dillinger, you know?"

Alleged PAX East 'Breach' thief agrees to appear May 19 in Mass. court originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 01 Apr 2010 13:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Breach thief jumps bail, currently playing Modern Warfare 2 [update]

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:31:00 EST

An arrest warrant has been issued for 20-year-old Justin D. May, the alleged thief of the Breach code at PAX East, after he failed to show up in a Boston court today. May posted $200 cash bail at the Boston Police station following his arrest and was ordered to appear for arraignment this morning. He was charged with larceny over $250 and "trade secret, buy/sell/receive stolen."

As for May's potential punishment, especially now that he has fled, Suffolk Country District Attorney Press Secretary Jake Wark told Joystiq, "Both charges carry maximum five-year prison terms, though there are monetary fines as potential sentences. Neither offense carries a minimum term. Being a fugitive from justice carries a potential penalty in most states, but only in the jurisdiction to which a defendant flees. For the moment, he is only in default and not facing any enhanced penalties."

According to the Boston Police report, May's attempted theft of Breach was valued at over $6 million dollars. May's current whereabouts are unknown, but we do have his Gamertag, which shows that wherever he is at the moment, he's playing Modern Warfare 2.

Update 2: Added details about prison terms and fines. The person using May's Gamertag signed off after we contacted them.

Update: The police report can be found after the break.

Continue reading Breach thief jumps bail, currently playing Modern Warfare 2 [update]

Breach thief jumps bail, currently playing Modern Warfare 2 [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 15:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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'Breach' game code theft at PAX East ends in arrest [update]

Alexander Sliwinski — Tue, 30 Mar 2010 08:42:00 EST

[Photo: Kevin Kelly]

An attempted theft of Atomic Games' Breach code on the PAX East show floor on the last day of the event was thwarted by vigilant members of the studio. According to a representative for the company, the suspected thief managed to download some of the code and then run into the crowd after he was spotted. He was eventually apprehended in the large crowd and the game's code was found on his computer.

"The suspect did admit to us several times, including as he was doing it, that he was stealing the code. He said to myself and several other team members, after being caught, that it was not a big deal, he just really liked the game and wanted to play it with his friends," David Tractenberg, a spokesperson for Atomic, explained.

"This guy had only succeeded in copying about 14MB to his laptop before our staff caught him," Atomic Games President Peter Tamte told Joystiq. "Because of the work we do for military and intelligence organizations, we take security issues like this very seriously ... It is fortunate for him that we caught him before any of this ended up on the internet. Many of the hackers who stole Valve's Half-Life 2 code were tracked down by the FBI's Cybercrime Task Force."

Gallery: Breach

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'Breach' game code theft at PAX East ends in arrest [update] originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Mar 2010 08:42:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Breach coming to PC 'six weeks after' XBLA version

Xav de Matos — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 18:30:00 EST

On one of our many trips to Atomic Games' booth on the PAX East 2010 show floor, a representative of the developer told us Breach would see a release on PC in addition to Xbox Live Arcade. The multiplayer shooter will launch on XBLA this summer for $15, with the PC version expected to follow six weeks later. Breach on PC will only be available as a digital download; however, Atomic Games has not decided on a digital distribution platform yet.

Breach coming to PC 'six weeks after' XBLA version originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 27 Mar 2010 18:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Hands-on: Breach (XBLA)

David Hinkle — Sat, 27 Mar 2010 16:30:00 EST

Breach wants to go after Battlefield 1943. Atomic Games president Peter Tamte summed up DICE's digitally distributed title as a "stripped down version of a retail game," and believes that Breach can outdo last year's surprise XBLA hit with its accessibility and sandbox-style destructibility.

Atomic hopes to have the game on XBLA this summer with a price of $15. Focusing on eight-on-eight multiplayer with combative and objective-based game modes, the game heavily emphasizes utilizing cover ... and blowing stuff up.

Gallery: Breach

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Hands-on: Breach (XBLA) originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 27 Mar 2010 16:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Breach expected to launch this summer on XBLA for $15

David Hinkle — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 20:20:00 EST

We popped by Atomic Games' booth here at PAX to check out Breach, the dev's attempt to take on DICE's online-only, digitally distributed Battlefield 1943.

Atomic president Peter Tamte revealed during our play session that he hoped to get Breach on XBLA this summer (as previously estimated), and that the developer is targeting a $15 price point. Considering how polished the game was in the state we saw it, we certainly believe it can meet that deadline. Look for our hands-on impressions later today.

Breach expected to launch this summer on XBLA for $15 originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 20:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Atomic Games breaks out Breach details

Alexander Sliwinski — Fri, 26 Mar 2010 00:01:00 EST

Atomic Games' Breach is a first-person, multiplayer shooter set to infiltrate Xbox Live Arcade this summer. The game mixes a cover system with destructible environments, and allows players to see their handiwork (or, umm, terrible aim) on walls, floors, ceilings and even single bricks.

Featuring four classes (five after mastering two classes), an experience points system to purchase gadgets, four maps, four game types, 23 weapons and more, Breach seems like it's going for the type of hefty multiplayer experience one would expect from a full-priced retail title -- though we hope it'll have a less traumatic trip to release than the same developer's Six Days in Fallujah did. We'll have a hands-on later today at PAX East.

Gallery: Breach

Atomic Games breaks out Breach details originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 26 Mar 2010 00:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Breach announced by Six Days in Fallujah dev, Atomic Games

Christopher Grant — Mon, 22 Mar 2010 10:25:00 EST

While confirming that Six Days in Fallujah - the inspired-by-real-events military FPS hot potato that Konami tossed aside last year - was "still going to be coming out," developer Atomic Games also told Joystiq that it has "a game coming out first," which the dev will "be working on ... before Six Days in Fallujah." Over the wire just now comes news of Atomic's latest: Breach, a "multiplayer" FPS "based on the elite CIA Special Activities Division officers."

Much of the press release is cleverly "redacted" -- highlighting the black areas reveals hidden text: "so you've managed to decode this section to reveal the classified information. Come on! Did you really think it was going to be that easy? Yes, we do work for military and intelligence organizations. Yes, we are creating a game that will blow your mind. Yes, some of it was actually redacted. Yes, many of us have security clearances. So what that all means is I can't tell you anything more than is in this release until it's okay. Until then, we are high-speed, low-drag and ready to work. Molon Labe!"

Wikipedia tells us that "molon labe" is the motto of the United States Special Operations Command Central (that's SOCCENT for you military buffs), so expect some adherence to real-world events, military jargon and other things that suggest authenticity. That is Atomic Games' forte, after all. Breach is in development for "consoles and personal computers."

Breach announced by Six Days in Fallujah dev, Atomic Games originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Mar 2010 10:25:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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