Content creators have received phishing scam emails disguised as beta access for Far Cry 6; publisher Ubisoft has since reported the scam attempt. These types of schemes are sadly becoming more and more commonplace in the industry. Earlier this year, for example, Biomutant fans were targeted in a phishing scheme that made promises of new details and exclusive access, so long as the recipient clicked on the provided phishing links.
Ubisoft unveiled Far Cry 6 last summer during one of its UbiForward streams. The new entry in the first-person shooter series will star Breaking Bad alum Giancarlo Esposito as Antón Castillo, a villainous character who rules the fictional island of Yara as its dictator. Though Far Cry 6 originally had a February 2021 release date attached, the publisher later pushed the project out of this year's first quarter. Despite the game's Microsoft Store page once listing a due date of May 2021, Ubisoft has yet to officially lift the veil on a revised release schedule.
Unfortunately, the dearth of information seems to have created an opportunity for scammers to come out of the woodwork. As originally reported by YouTuber TheRadBrad, streamers and content creators have become the target of a phishing scheme, whereby scammers use the official Ubisoft email address to offer up access to a nonexistent Far Cry 6 beta. In a post via the Ubisoft Support Twitter page, the publisher confirmed the emails going around are indeed a phishing attempt. Ubisoft has already reported the scam, but those who come across the messages are advised to not respond. Hopefully, no one has already fallen victim to the phishing scheme.
It's a shame that these scams persist. And, of course, this isn't the only way gaming companies have been put on their back foot in recent months. Late last year, Capcom's networks were hit by a ransomware attack, which has since proven far worse than initially suspected. CD Projekt Red recently endured a similar data breach, culminating in some of its source code being leaked and sold online.
Since news of the email scam is bringing Far Cry 6 back to the forefront, questions are bound to arise about when Ubisoft will once more place the game in the spotlight. It's been months since an update of any real consequence has made the rounds, so who can say for sure how long the publisher plans to remain silent?
Far Cry 6 is in development for PC, PS4, PS5, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S platforms, but official release date details presently remain under wraps.
Source: Ubisoft Support, TheRadBrad