Take-Two Sues GTA 5 Account Boosters for Pressuring "Innocent" Players into Buying Unauthorized Goods

In a move that has left the gaming community abuzz, Take-Two Interactive, the publisher of Grand Theft Auto (GTA) V and Borderlands, has filed a complaint against PlayerAuctions, a third-party asset marketplace. The lawsuit alleges that PlayerAuctions is selling modified player accounts obtained through hacking, cheats, and technical exploits, putting "innocent" players under pressure to buy unauthorized goods.

"While GTA lets players experience a fictional underworld of lawless enterprise, the entities behind PlayerAuctions own and operate a real one," claims a lawyer for Take-Two Interactive. The complaint highlights that PlayerAuctions offers a vast online marketplace containing thousands of listings for unauthorized GTA V content, including heavily modified player accounts, in-game assets, and virtual currency. These listings are often obtained through hacking software, cheats, and technical exploits.

Selling a GTA Online account to another player is not strictly illegal, but it's against the terms of service. However, Take-Two Interactive claims that PlayerAuctions' actions constitute infringement, alongside copyright and trademark infringement claims. By offering account boosting, modded accounts, and currency drops, PlayerAuctions allegedly offers an "otherwise impossible experience" for new players, allowing them to begin GTA V with billions in virtual currency and a massive arsenal of in-game content.

These listings often advertise 'unlock all' accounts preloaded with maxed-out character levels and virtually all in-game assets available to acquire in GTA Online. Furthermore, users buying Account Boosting Services give control of their GTA V account temporarily to an unknown third party – in violation of the Rockstar TOS (Terms of Service) – and disclose their GTA V account information, including passwords.

PlayerAuctions take at least 12.99% in fees, according to Take-Two Interactive, which amounts to "many tens of millions or even upwards of 100 million dollars." The lawsuit claims that this business model actively promotes behavior that risks creating a 'race for the bottom' where innocent GTA V players feel pressured to buy unauthorized digital goods and services, or else resort to using hacks or cheating themselves to keep up with PlayerAuctions' customers.

"At the scale of its website," say Take-Two Interactive, "PlayerAuctions risks upending the GTA V player experience and interferes with the balance and fairness of the game. By promoting this behavior, they actively contribute to a culture that exploits and manipulates players for profit." The lawsuit seeks damages for the alleged infringement and trademark violations.

While some might view PlayerAuctions' actions as simply a manifestation of the cutthroat nature of online gaming, Take-Two Interactive sees it as an attempt to undermine the integrity of GTA V. With reported revenue of £6.9 billion since release, it's clear that the company has no qualms about protecting its interests – but at what cost to the gaming community?

The situation bears some resemblance to a previous lawsuit filed by Roblox against PlayerAuctions last month. It remains to be seen how this case will unfold and whether PlayerAuctions will be held accountable for their actions.