First announced in July 2020, Ubisoft Toronto’s highly anticipatedFar Cry 6was originally scheduled for release this past February 2021, but like many games was delayed to an unspecified date due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
In February, as fans eagerly awaited more news about the next installment in the popularFar Cryfranchise, some targeted gamers may have fallen victim to ascam email claiming to be an invitation to aFar Cry 6beta. This email, aimed primarily at content creators who could be easily baited with the enticement of exclusive content to share with their viewers, contained a link that installed a virus on the user’s computer when clicked.
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A warning went out to alert content creators and anybody else who may have received the official-looking email, but unfortunately that seems to have not been the end of the phishing attempt. On March 17, Ubisoft issued another warning aboutscam emailsoriginating from a Ubisoft domain that is targeting media outlets and content creators, inviting them to an early access version ofFar Cry 6.
The statement issued by Ubisoft explained: “Some of our media and content creators are being sent fake emails using the Ubisoft domain inviting you to take part in early access forFar Cry 6.Please ignore such emails. Our security teams are investigating.”
In the phishing attempt in February, YouTube creator theRadBrad explained that the email appeared to come from an official Ubisoft address and included warnings about an embargo. The email provided a link and special password for access to aFar Cry 6beta, and the virus that then got installed on users’ computers would record everything that happened on the screen, opening the door for identify theft and other serious repercussions.
Although these phishing emails have apparently thus far targeted only the media and content creators, it may be just a matter of time before hackers turn their sights on the general public. It’s important to remember that Ubisoft has only stated that it intends toreleaseFar Cry 6sometime before June 03, 2025, and the company has made clear that there is no beta or early access planned for the game yet. It’s also good practice not to click on links in emails, but rather go directly to the desired website.
Far Cry 6is not the only game to have recently been targeted by scammers and hackers. Before its release, players began receiving scam emails about a closed beta forCyberpunk 2077,causing CD Projekt Red to announce that there would be no beta for the game. Fans looking forward to Experiment 101’s upcoming open-world action RPGBiomutanthave also begun receiving phishing emailswith fraudulent links. And fake early access invitations that appeared to come from an official Capcom email address recently went out forResident Evil Village.
Far Cry 6is currently in development for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X/S.
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