A Tennessee resident faces up to 12 years in prison for stealing Starfield game copies. Learn more about how the investigation started, criminal charges, and the recurring problem of leaks in the gaming industry.
Bethesda Game Leaker Arrested in Tennessee
Facing Potential Prison Sentence Up To 12 Years
Darin Harris, a resident of Tennessee, has found himself in some legal hot water after being apprehended and indicted on felony charges of theft related to unauthorized dissemination of footage from Bethesda's highly anticipated game, Starfield. Harris is also alleged to have attempted to make unauthorized game sales ahead of Starfield’s official release.
According to official Shelby County Sheriff's Office records, Darin Harris was taken into custody on August 24, facing felony and misdemeanor charges, including property theft and possession of controlled substances. The most significant charge he faces is the Class D Felony Theft, which carries a potential prison sentence of up to 12 years.
How the Investigation Started
The investigation into Harris's activities commenced when Vantiva (Formerly Technicolor)'s loss prevention chief alerted law enforcement about the theft, and authorities searched Harris's residence. They found six copies of the game, one still sealed in a FedEx package, three handguns and marijuana. Harris claimed he had not stolen the games but had acquired them from another individual.
However, authorities determined that a YouTube account belonging to Harris, under the name DHavenShadow,
streamed and posted approximately 40 minutes of Starfield gameplay. The leaked footage quickly garnered significant attention, amassing 1 million views before being removed from the platform. In the video, Harris said, I was just trying something out. It's a good game, y'all don't want to miss this.
Further complicating matters, Harris allegedly listed shrink-wrapped copies of Starfield for sale on Mercari, an online marketplace, with prices ranging from $200 to $650. His actions were easily traceable due to his face being clearly shown in the videos he streamed and his GamerTag, prominently featured in his posted content.
On August 24, law enforcement successfully tracked down and apprehended Darin Harris. He was subsequently released on a $10,000 bail, with a court date scheduled for September 8. Under the Tennessee Legal Code, Harris is being charged with Class-D Felony Theft, which carries a potential punishment of 2 to 12 years in prison.
Recurring Issue in the Game Industry
This incident isn't the first of its kind in the gaming world, as history has seen similar legal actions taken against individuals who prematurely disclosed game content. One person of note in the video game hacking and piracy scene is Gary Bowser, who was a part of Team Xecuter. This team developed and sold devices that allowed people to play pirated games on Nintendo Switch consoles. Nintendo took legal action against Bowser and other team members for their activities.
Officially, Starfield is set to become accessible to early access pre-orders on September 1, with a broader launch planned for September 6, making this incident all the more noteworthy in the gaming community.
