StarCraft 2 hackers are reportedly exposing unsuspecting gamers to horrific footage of a real-life taking pictures in addition to movies that includes vibrant flashing lights, seemingly designed to set off seizures. Whereas Blizzard is investigating, it appears this has been taking place for almost a yr or extra.
On April 20, a StarCraft 2 participant shared a narrative a few hacker injecting a video of a mass taking pictures into the sport whereas they had been taking part in on-line. Reddit person Tad0422 defined that this occurred whereas taking part in a map in StarCraft 2‘s Arcade, a function of the sci-fi RTS that lets gamers add custom-created maps and modes to play with others. Whereas taking part in with some pals, the group encountered some “rando” gamers.
About 3 minutes [later] a video appeared on my display screen,” claimed Tado422. “I’ve by no means seen this earlier than nevertheless it took up the entire display screen. It was a Russian pop video or one thing that performed for 20 seconds or so. Most of us had been speaking in chat about what the heck was taking place.”
Tado422 additional defined that, shortly after the primary video, a second video appeared. This one confirmed a person coming into a retailer and taking pictures individuals within the head.
“At this second I freaked out and arduous closed out of StarCraft 2. My 5 yr previous daughter was within the room with me, half listening to me taking part in a online game. That is past unacceptable. I ought to by no means have to fret about seeing individuals murdered or porn whereas taking part in a SC2 sport.”
Tad0422’s put up blew up on Reddit and led to many different SC2 gamers sharing their tales about related hackers injecting annoying or graphic movies whereas individuals are taking part in the sport. I reached out to Tado422 and so they shared with me a replay of the match that was hacked by somebody. In addition they made it clear that this isn’t a problem with the Arcade map they had been taking part in or the creator of that mode. It seems to be a bigger exploit inside StarCraft 2‘s Arcade Mode. Yow will discover others reporting related incidents with screenshots, too.
As reported by 404Media, some gamers shared tales of seeing swastikas whereas taking part in. One other person claimed they had been hit with an “epileptic screamer” video designed to set off seizures utilizing flashing pictures and lightweight. Some of these issues with hackers hijacking maps and modes in Arcade have been reported by StarCraft 2 gamers for no less than a yr now.
Kotaku reached out to Blizzard. The corporate says it’s conscious of the scenario and is presently working to “repair” the exploit. Right here’s the corporate’s full assertion:
“We’re investigating a participant declare that disturbing content material that violates our insurance policies appeared in a sport. We take the protection of our gamers and our platform very severely and are working to repair the exploit we consider may need been used to add this content material.
Replace: April 22 – 8:30 p.m. EST: Blizzard despatched over a brand new, up to date assertion.
Right here it’s in full:
We’re working to repair the exploit we consider may need been utilized by sure gamers to add content material that violates our insurance policies. We take the protection of our gamers and our platform very severely. The inappropriate content material is being eliminated, and the accountable events have been banned. To stop extra coverage violations, now we have quickly disabled the power for gamers to add new maps and mods via the SC2 Map Editor whereas we work on a everlasting repair.
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