Reports indicate that hackers are injecting inappropriate and disturbing videos into matches of StarCraft 2, raising significant concerns about player safety. The incidents involve graphic content, including a real-life shooting video, which players have encountered while engaging in online gameplay.
Details of the Incidents
On April 20, a player recounted an alarming experience where a video depicting a mass shooting interrupted a game session. While participating in a custom map via StarCraft 2‘s Arcade feature, the player noticed a hacker introducing unwanted video content. The player, using the handle Tad0422, detailed how a video suddenly appeared on their screen during gameplay, claiming it consumed the entire display.
According to Tad0422, the first video was a Russian pop video, which lasted around 20 seconds. Subsequently, a more disturbing clip showed acts of violence. Shocked and alarmed, especially with a young child present in the room, the player exited the game immediately, expressing outrage at the unacceptable nature of such invasions.
Wider Community Impact
Following this incident, many other players on Reddit began sharing instances of similar experiences, reinforcing the notion that this is not an isolated event. Reports describe hackers utilizing various methods to inject graphic videos or inappropriate content during gameplay in the Arcade mode. Some players mentioned encountering video content designed to trigger seizures, characterized by rapid flashing lights.
One player noted being subjected to an “epileptic screamer” video, which is notoriously disruptive and dangerous. These hacking exploits have been circulating among the StarCraft 2 community for approximately a year, with numerous players documenting their experiences.
Blizzard’s Response
In light of these troubling developments, Blizzard has acknowledged the situation and is currently investigating the matter. Their official statement confirms awareness of the disturbing content being injected into matches, emphasizing the company’s commitment to player safety and policy enforcement. Blizzard is actively seeking a solution to rectify the exploit that enables such incidents.