Posted on May 30, 2025 at 12:03 PM

Gamer Over? Why Hackers Target Popular Video Games & How to Stay Safe

Video games are more than entertainment; they’re a $200 billion global industry. But as gaming grows, so do cyberattacks. Hackers now see games as goldmines for stealing data, extorting companies, and exploiting players. 

According to Infosecurity Magazine, Akamai’s 2024 report shows that attacks on gaming platforms are rising alarmingly. In 2024 alone, the industry suffered a nearly 95% rise in layer 7 distributed denial-of-service (DDoS) attacks from the previous year. Similarly, bot requests spiked by 391%, while web application firewall (WAF) attacks rose by 94%.

Furthermore, SQL injection (SQLi) attacks became the most common conventional web risk, with over 700 million verified cases. These attacks affect everyone, from casual mobile gamers to competitive esports players. Some might think gaming accounts aren’t valuable. But think again. 

For players, breaches don’t just mean lost progress. They can lead to identity theft, drained bank accounts, and even fuel gaming addiction. This blog post explains why gaming platforms face so many attacks and how to protect yourself while enjoying your favorite games.

Why Hackers Target Gaming Companies

Gaming companies store massive amounts of valuable data, including credit card details, personal information, and login credentials. All this makes them prime targets for cybercriminals. The numbers are shocking. It’s not just small operations being hit. 

Major studios like Ubisoft and Insomniac Games have suffered significant cyberattacks. In December 2023, a ransomware group hacked Ubisoft’s servers and accessed over 1.6 TB of data. Cyber Daily reveals that the group sold the records for 50 bitcoins (around $2 million). 

The files included Insomniac’s release plans till 2035, information about unpublished games, and private employee specifics. Similarly, in December 2023, a cyberattack targeted Ubisoft. The hackers allegedly accessed the company’s SharePoint servers, Teams communications framework, Confluence collaboration software, and MongoDB Atlas cloud service. 

INCYBER NEWS reveals that the hackers were about to retrieve 900 GB of data, but lost access before they could download it. These incidents show how valuable gaming companies’ internal systems are to criminals.

Do free-to-play games have more security risks?

Games themselves aren’t always riskier but be very cautious of third-party websites promising free items or cheats. These unofficial sites are common places for malware or phishing scams. Always download games and extra content from official, trusted stores to stay secure.

Recent Major Gaming Security Breaches

Gaming companies are under several high-profile attacks. In a recent example, in January 2025, Polish game developer Big Cheese Studio confirmed it was a target of a breach. According to a Reuters report based on information from the Polish Press Agency (PAP), the company’s website was down for hours.

Moreover, according to social media users, the hackers obtained the company’s game code protocols and employee details. The attackers reportedly demanded a ransom of 100,000 zlotys (about $25,000) in cryptocurrency, threatening to release the stolen data if not paid. This incident shows how even publicly traded smaller studios can become targets, impacting their operations and stock value. 

Following the attack, Big Cheese Studio shares dropped notably. Earlier this year, Game Freak, the developer behind the popular Pokémon video games, also reported a data breach. The breach occurred in August 2024 but was only detected in early October. The game has one of the largest global fan bases.

By 2024, Game Freak sold over 480 million Pokémon games worldwide, only behind Mario and Tetris. According to The Record from Recorded Future News, the details of over 2,600 employees, including their names and email addresses, were compromised. 

These attacks show that no gaming company, regardless of size or popularity, is safe from hackers.

When the Digital World Impacts Reality

Losing connection or experiencing lag is frustrating. But the risks go deeper. Players can lose their accounts, progress, and paid or earned items. Your personal and financial information linked to your accounts can also be stolen. 

Beyond technical security issues, the gaming industry faces other challenges impacting players. Many companies have announced layoffs as game sales have fallen from pandemic highs. Likewise, development delays have affected release schedules. Legal issues add another layer of pressure. 

In the US, lawsuits question the impact of too much gameplay and game design. As cyber risks mount, players and regulators alike are taking companies to court. For example, the Fortnite addiction lawsuit involves claims that the game’s developers intentionally created an addictive experience through specific design choices. 

Lawyers also allege these features cause cognitive and emotional complications in young players. According to TruLaw, the lawsuit also focuses on the game’s failure to provide adequate warnings about the design’s addiction potential and risks. This isn’t the first time the company has been under fire. 

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) fined Epic Games $520 million for violating children’s privacy laws and using unfair practices to facilitate unintentional purchases.

Tactics Hackers Use to Target Gamers

Hackers use several methods to attack gamers:

• Phishing attempts to trick you into sharing login details through fake websites or emails. These often promise free in-game items or currency. They might look real, asking you to log in to claim a prize or fix an issue.

• Malware and viruses are also hidden in some files. Criminals hide malicious software in unofficial game downloads, mods, or cheats. They might even tell you to turn off your antivirus software to install them, which is a major warning sign.

• Account takeovers happen when hackers access your gaming accounts. They steal virtual items or make purchases with your saved payment methods.
  
• DDoS attacks flood game servers to make them crash. This stops you and others from playing.

Kaspersky reports that cyberattacks targeting young gamers increased by 30% in the first half of 2024 compared to the second half of 2023. During this period, hackers made over 6.5 million attempts, targeting games favored by juvenile gamers. 

The most impacted games include Minecraft, Animal Crossing: New Horizons, Roblox, Fortnite, Apex Legends, and Brawl Stars. This shows hackers specifically focus on vulnerable players.

How can I tell if my gaming account has been compromised?

Look for suspicious activity like login alerts from places you don’t recognize or in-game items that are now missing. Review your purchase history for anything you didn’t buy. Your friends might also get strange messages from your account. If you suddenly cannot log in, your password might be changed.

Safety Tips for Everyday Gamers

You can take several steps to protect yourself:

• Enable multifactor authentication on all gaming accounts. This reinforces your password safety.

• Use unique passwords for each gaming platform. Password managers help you create and store strong passwords.

• Be careful about phishing attempts. Never click suspicious links promising free items or asking for your login or personal details. Game companies will rarely ask for your password directly. 

• Check your payment settings. Remove saved payment methods when possible, or enable purchase confirmations.

• Be cautious about what you download. Only procure games and updates from official sources. Getting APKs or data from unofficial places increases malware risk. 

• Monitor your accounts regularly for unusual activity. Check your privacy settings in games and platforms and limit who can see your profile or send you messages. Quick detection of breaches limits potential damage.

Are gaming consoles safer than PCs for avoiding hacks?

Consoles are generally considered safer due to their closed systems and limited ways to install external software. This makes spreading viruses harder than on PCs. However, console accounts can still be targeted by phishing or breaches impacting the online service. Neither are 100% safe; your online habits are crucial. 

Gaming will remain a prime target for cybercriminals. The valuable data and high traffic make these platforms too tempting for hackers to ignore. But you can deter hackers by staying informed about security threats and taking basic precautions. Gaming should be fun, not a security risk.

Report suspicious activity to game developers and platforms. Community vigilance helps identify new threats quickly. With awareness and simple security measures, you can enjoy gaming while keeping your personal information safe from hackers.