Bandai Namco, Elden Ring Publisher Reportedly Hacked by Ransomware Group

A prominent hacking organization has hacked the publisher of the Elden Ring, Bandai Namco.

According to sources, the Japanese publisher is now the latest target of a ransomware attack by the hacking organization BlackCat.  Vx-underground, a group that monitors the internet for spyware, revealed the news.

“ALPHV ransomware group (alternatively referred to as BlackCat ransomware group) claims to have ransomed Bandai Namco,” the group said. 

ALPHV ransomware group (alternatively referred to as BlackCat ransomware group) claims to have ransomed Bandai Namco.

Bandai Namco is an international video game publisher. Bandai Namco video game franchises include Ace Combat, Dark Souls, Dragon Ball*, Soulcaliber, and more. pic.twitter.com/hxZ6N2kSxl

— vx-underground (@vxunderground) July 11, 2022

It’s still unclear how much damage the publisher has suffered. In addition, details of how much money the ransomware group BlackCat is demanding remain unclear. Earlier, the ransomware watchdog group DarkFeed had also shared a screenshot of BlackCat’s alleged intrusion. 

🌐 ALPHV (BlackCat) #Ransomware team with a new style and two new victims 🚨

The total revenue of the two companies combined is $100 million 💸 from the United States 🇺🇸#BlackCat pic.twitter.com/ekJEhpieX7

— DarkFeed (@ido_cohen2) July 11, 2022

Vx-underground has established a name in the internet malware industry. The group has reported on several other hacks, including the notorious Lapsu$ hack. The company later confirmed the news. 

Despite the prevalence of leaks in the game business, full-scale hackers are a different matter altogether. Recent years have seen an upsurge in cyber attacks on companies in the sector. Some of the most well-known companies have also fallen prey. Last year, a massive attack on Nvidia GeForce purported to reveal many future PC games.

A hacker also released Twitch’s source code and creator compensation information in October 2021. Twitch acknowledged the vulnerability and assured its users that the company was working diligently on a resolution. The hacker published a 125GB archive to 4chan, disclosing a lot of private information about the live streaming service. According to the hacker, the intention differed from BlackCat’s.

The hacker stated “foster more disruption and competition in the online video streaming space” since Twitch had degenerated into “a disgusting toxic cesspool.”

Other Industry Hacks

In 2021, Capcom’s servers were also hacked. The same year, a few months after CyberPunk 2077 went live, CD Projekt Red fell victim to hackers. The two companies declined to pay ransoms, and Elden Ring publishers will probably follow suit if the ransom rumors are much more than just speculative guesswork.

What’s your take on the Bandai Namco hack? What are your thoughts on the prevalence of hacking in the gaming industry? Let us know over on our socials here or down in the comments below.