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A former Rockstar Games developer has said that recent leaks about Grand Theft Auto 6 were not a big deal, despite it being one of the biggest data breaches in the history of the games industry. In a recent interview with San In Play, San Andreas developer Obbe Vermeij blamed the reaction on the company’s policy of remaining secretive about the game.
Vermeij stated that the September 2022 leaks “are usually not as important as people think.”
Notorious hacking group Lapsus$ caused nearly $10 million in damages to the affected companies. An 18-year-old hacker, Arion Kurtaj, was sentenced to an indefinite hospital order after releasing 90 clips from the highly anticipated GTA 6.

He managed to breach Rockstar’s internal systems and threatened to release the game’s source code unless contacted by the company. Remarkably, he carried out the hack while under police protection and without his usual tools, using an Amazon Firestick, a hotel TV, and a mobile phone.
Why Rockstar has been quiet about GTA 6
In response to the leak, Vermeij said: “It’s just because there are millions of people waiting for any news, and Rockstar doesn’t give them any news.” The developer has spent the past few years revealing details about the making of the studio’s previous games.

Came across this rare photograph of the dev team behind gta3.This would have been taken in 2000/2001 in Leith, Edinburgh, Scotland.(names in comments)#gta #gamedev #og pic.twitter.com/bjZsPlAeks
— Obbe Vermeij (@ObbeVermeij) December 7, 2023

While he explained that he can “totally understand” why studios generally never divulge information about their games, he added that “their best bet is just to be quiet. That’s what they’re doing. It’s a shame it’s gone that way, but it’s not just their fault.”
The ex-GTA 3 developer continued, saying that studios tend to behave this way “because whenever a big company says anything, whether it’s Rockstar or EA or Ubisoft of whatever, it gets analyzed and it often gets run negatively.”
Rockstar Games reported substantial financial and operational impacts due to Kurtaj’s actions, including a recovery cost of $5 million and extensive staff hours.
GTA 6 is expected to be released in fall of 2025.
Featured image: Rockstar Games
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AI-powered scanners in New York have received a mixed response from New Yorkers as a potential lawsuit looms.
Launched on Friday, July 26, a pilot program in New York involved using AI-powered scanners to prevent people from taking weapons into the subway system. However, some New Yorkers are critical of the idea, including civil rights advocates who claim that the searches are unconstitutional.
The Evolv scanner uses AI to search for guns and knives and was on display at a subway station in lower Manhattan. Mayor Eric Adams announced a three-day trial, calling the newly installed scanner “good technology.”
“Would I rather that we don’t have to be scanned? Yes,” Adams added. “But if you would speak to the average subway rider, they would state that they don’t want guns on their subway system, and if it means using scanners, then bring the scanners on.”
The scanners are still in an experimental phase but have been used before at baseball stadiums and other venues. In this pilot scheme, a small number of New York subway stations will have scanners employed, with only a select number of riders asked to step through them. New York has not yet signed a full contract with Evolv, with Adams highlighting that other companies are welcome to pitch their own gun-detection solutions.
When the six-foot-tall scanners detect a weapon, an alert is sent to a tablet monitored by a pair of NYPD officers. While everyday items like phones and laptops shouldn’t set off the scanner, Fortune reported that a reporter’s iPad set them off on launch day.
How have New York locals reacted to the scanners?
Civil liberties advocates have been quick to protest the AI scanners, with both the New York Civil Liberties Union and the Legal Aid Society claiming that they would sue the city if the technology is rolled out widely. It’s claimed that the technology violates the constitutional rights of riders.
“City officials have admitted that these scanners are primarily to combat some riders’ ‘perceptions’ that they are unsafe on the subway — this is not a justifiable basis to violate the Constitution,” NYCLU attorney Daniel Lambright told Fortune.
Evolv CEO Peter George has even stated that the New York subway is “not a great use-case” for the technology, as reported by the Daily News. What’s more, the company has also faced many lawsuits and federal investigations in recent years, telling investors last year that it was contacted by the Federal Trade Commission. This includes a class-action lawsuit that accuses Evolv executives of overstating the devices’ capabilities.
Another concern stems from risks around AI safety, with leading AI companies themselves highlighting concerns around safety in artificial intelligence. If such models fail when it comes to detecting real-world weapons, this could quickly lead to dangerous situations.
Logically, for the scanners to be effective, they would need to be installed at every subway entrance, which would presumably result in a hefty cost for the city. It remains to be seen what comes from this pilot scheme and its effectiveness.
This isn’t the first time that the NYPD has employed AI in the subway system, also using learning models to catch fare evaders in 2023.
Featured image: Unsplash
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Instagram is rolling out AI Studio, a feature that allows users to create AI versions of themselves to share online.
Starting with a gradual rollout in the US, Instagram Creators will soon be able to create and share AI characters, including digital versions of themselves, parent company, Meta announced on Sunday.
There is a range of prompt templates or you can start from scratch to create an AI character based on various interests and hobbies.
Some early examples that Instagram has shared in action include a foodie character that offers tips for embracing local dining habits while traveling; a pro photographer with lens tips, and a dog that tells people positive affirmations.
Creators could also use these AI versions of themselves to answer common questions, reply to DMs, or promote certain types of content, like linking to favored brands and past posts. You can specify topics to avoid or focus on via the professional dashboard in the Instagram app and define who the AI replies to. Those responses will be clearly labeled as being from AI when received by followers.
How to use Instagram’s AI Studio
AI Studio is already available to some users in the United States via the desktop version or the Instagram app. In the app, you need to start a new message and then click ‘Create an AI chat.’ If that option isn’t there, it might not be available to you as a feature just yet.
Either starting with a given prompt or from scratch, creators can customize the AI character’s name, personality, tone, avatar, and tagline. Meta has created a step-by-step guide with details on how to get the most out of the new AI-powered feature. Once live, you can continue to fine-tune the character in the backend even after it’s started to interact with followers.
It remains to be seen whether this new feature will be better received than Meta’s past AI offering, which drew criticism for being ‘useless.’
Featured image: Meta
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Some Xbox One consoles are reportedly not fully functioning after a recent failed system update.
Not every unit from the original launch in 2013 is thought to be impacted but the error has been found on both new and used Xboxes with firmware from 2017 and 2018.
Users are advised not to reset their consoles as this would require another update on startup and render it unusable until there is a fix.
Consoles that have not been reset can run the dashboard and disc games but not anything that requires an internet connection, including Xbox Live.
Members of the gaming forum NeoGAF began posting about the issue earlier this month. One user said their friend had purchased an unused Xbox One console and that it continuously encountered errors on setup. They feared that Microsoft had disabled the servers for the day one update.
Microsoft has been informed of the Xbox One issue
Tech reviewers at Digital Foundry have found that the error stems from the older firmware connecting to Xbox Live. They have also alerted Microsoft to the issue and are “confident” that it can be fixed. A file from a firmware update after 2018 is reportedly needed to successfully complete the update.
Despite this, many in the industry have raised wider concerns about what it means that consoles can just stop working suddenly. For consoles that don’t require an internet connection, they can be plugged in and enjoyed whenever the player feels like it.
But with games being available solely online becoming even more common, the Xbox One problem is worrying development for the future of game preservation.
Featured image: Ideogram
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As the cryptocurrency market gears up for an anticipated bull run, Bitcoin will likely lead with significant gains, followed by major altcoins like Ethereum and Solana.
Following that, popular meme coins like Shiba Inu, Pepe, and Dogecoin could increase in value by 2x, 3x, or even 4x.
However, smaller, lesser-known meme coins might offer the most substantial gains, sparking excitement and FOMO rallies.
This exploration highlights four promising meme coins that could soar in the upcoming bull market.

Daddy Tate (DADDY)
Daddy Tate leads the list, catching attention as many in the cryptocurrency space are skeptical of celebrity tokens or coins. However, Andrew Tate’s token, DADDY, has a good chance of doing well in the upcoming bull market, which is why it’s one of the top four meme coins.
First, Andrew Tate backs Daddy Tate, boasting 9.8 million followers on X, with his influence extending much further. Building a strong following and community is crucial for any cryptocurrency, especially meme coins.
Regardless of personal opinions, Andrew Tate has a proven ability to cultivate a dedicated following. This community support is vital for the success of meme coins, which is why Andrew Tate’s DADDY token holds promise.
Additionally, the DEXTools chart shows a bull flag pattern since the token’s launch, currently wedging down into the $0.1 area. As the chart fully loads, it will reveal the $0.1 price point as the wedge’s meeting point.
As the consolidation continues, two potential outcomes may emerge: a break to the downside, giving control to the bears, or, as often happens with this pattern, a breakout to the upside, especially if the overall market remains bullish.
There is strong enthusiasm for the technical analysis of the DADDY token and its fundamentals. Andrew Tate’s ability to rally holders and build a large community contributes to the potential success of the token.
WienerAI (WAI)
WienerAI’s presale has raised over $8 million, but there are only 24 hours left to join. If you’re still thinking about it, now is your last chance to buy $WAI tokens at the presale price of $0.00073.

Charging up power⚡️
This is your last chance to join the WienerAI presale! pic.twitter.com/taI4Wjavky
— WienerAI (@WienerDogAI) July 30, 2024

Investing is simple with WienerAI. You can use ETH, USDT, or BNB to swap for $WAI tokens. They also offer a fiat gateway, so you can buy with a credit or debit card if that’s your preference. Potential investors can visit our guide on how to buy WienerAI tokens here.
After the presale ends, WienerAI plans to launch on Uniswap in August. Although they haven’t set a specific date, the crypto community is excited. Unlike many meme tokens that quickly rise and fall, WienerAI shows strong potential for long-term success.
Even though WienerAI is themed around a dog meme, its main feature is an AI-powered trading bot. This bot works like ChatGPT but for trading. You can ask it questions, set trading criteria, and let it find profitable strategies. The bot will search the market for you based on your inputs.
This bot can revolutionize trading by saving time and reducing reliance on personal judgment. It also allows you to make trades directly from its interface. Trading with WienerAI is instant, resistant to MEV attacks, fee-free, and user-friendly.
Additionally, $WAI holders can stake their tokens in the project’s smart contract for passive rewards. Stakers currently earn 126% APY, but this rate will drop over time. With only 24 hours left in the presale, investors need to act quickly.
Secure your spot in the $WAI token presale by visiting wienerdog.ai.
Base Dawgz (DAWGZ)
Base Dawgz has raised over $2.7 million in its ICO, drawing significant attention. Currently, you can buy $DAWGZ tokens for $0.007061 each, but you need to act fast.
The price will increase in 6 days when the next ICO stage starts, creating urgency among buyers. Potential investors can visit our guide on how to buy Base Dawgz tokens here.

Base Dawgz also offers a staking feature that lets ICO investors earn a rare APY of 1,062%. Though the APY will decrease as more tokens are staked, this high return still draws investors eager to invest early and potentially achieve substantial gains.
Base Dawgz has allocated 20% of its total $DAWGZ supply for staking rewards and 15% for marketing to broaden its reach. The ICO’s success and staking rewards are impressive, but the project’s main draw is its multi-chain approach.
$DAWGZ operates across Base, Solana, Ethereum, Avalanche, and the BNB Chain, making it widely accessible and reducing costs for meme coin traders. For example, if you hold $DAWGZ on the Base chain but want to use it on Solana, you can transfer it directly rather than selling and rebuying.
Base Dawgz also focuses on community engagement. Their Share-to-Earn feature rewards users with $DAWGZ tokens for creating and sharing viral content about the project, turning holders into marketers and driving organic growth.
Additionally, the ICO includes a referral program. Investors earn bonus $DAWGZ tokens for referring others, benefiting both the developers and the community. These features highlight Base Dawgz as a meme coin with real potential, and investors are eager to see how they will impact $DAWGZ’s price.
To participate in the $DAWGZ token presale, visit basedawgz.com.
Pepe Unchained (PEPU)
The Pepe Unchained (PEPU) presale has raised over $6.3 million. Right now, you can buy tokens for $0.0087693, but the price will increase in one day. Investors should act fast to get tokens at the current price.
Pepe Unchained will be the first meme coin with its own Layer 2 blockchain, making it unique in the market. This blockchain is designed to be faster and cheaper than Ethereum while still offering decentralization and security.
Think of Pepe Unchained as a fast lane for transactions—reducing delays and lowering costs for meme coin traders. According to its whitepaper, this Layer 2 network will be 100x faster than Ethereum, which has investors excited and reflected in the presale’s success.
Another feature drawing attention is Pepe Unchained’s “double staking,” offering a current annual yield of 303%. Over 528 million tokens are already staked, but this yield will decrease as more tokens are staked, rewarding early investors the most during the presale.
Overall, Pepe Unchained looks poised for significant growth. As the presale progresses, many are eager to see if this Layer 2 meme coin project will live up to its promises.
To take part in the $PEPU token presale, visit pepeunchained.com.
Related

Top 5 Meme Coin Projects to Buy Now Before the End of July
Top 3 Meme Coins Poised for a Surge in the Coming Weeks – $DADDY, $WAI, and $DAWGZ

The post Top 4 Meme Coins to Watch in the Upcoming Bull Market appeared first on ReadWrite.