In a recent turn of events, a man from Tennessee who leaked 45 minutes of Starfield gameplay and attempted to sell the game ahead of its official release date has been apprehended and is facing charges for possession of marijuana and possession of stolen property.
Early Leak Sparks Interest: The Saga Unfolds
The saga began on August 22 when a low-quality snippet of Starfield gameplay was uploaded to YouTube. Although it was swiftly taken down due to a copyright claim, it circulated on various platforms.
Redditors sought out the clip on different hosting sites, while a brief excerpt on Imgur gained significant traction, amassing over 1.2 million views in two days. The video quality might not have been top-notch, but the anticipation for the game was evident.
The leaker, who went by the alias “memphian94” on social media platforms, shared a video expressing his appreciation for the game. “Todd, no offense man,” he remarked, “That’s a good game. Perfect timing, about leaving the Earth and all that. That’s some good stuff.”
The person who leaked the Starfield gameplay on YouTube has uploaded a response video. “Todd, no offense man, that’s a good game.” 😂 #Starfield #Xbox pic.twitter.com/EuwxOhC7BJ
— Rebs Gaming (@Mr_Rebs_) August 22, 2023
He also apologized for his gameplay, admitting, “I’m not a game expert, but [was] just trying something out.”
“Starfield’s for real,” he concluded. “Y’all don’t want to miss it.”
Leak Takes a Dark Turn: Unauthorized Sales and a Criminal Twist
The situation escalated when memphian94, revealed to be Darin Tyrone Harris, began selling boxed copies of Starfield and other products on the online marketplace Mercari. He even shared a video displaying stacks of Starfield copies in his car, later packing them into FedEx envelopes for shipment.
Unfortunately, this attempt to showcase the authenticity of his products played a role in his downfall. On August 24, Harris was arrested and charged with marijuana possession (a controlled substance not decriminalized in Tennessee), theft of property valued between $2,500 and $10,000, and theft of property amounting to $1,000 or less.
Legal Consequences and Upcoming Date: Harris’s Current Status
As of now, Harris is out on $10,000 bail and is scheduled for a court appearance on August 28, just a few days before the September 1 release date for the Premium and Constellation Editions of Starfield. The standard edition is set to release on September 6.
The circumstances surrounding the theft charges may or may not be linked to the early game sale. An attempt to contact Bethesda for their perspective is ongoing.
The unfolding of this Starfield-related incident adds a unique twist to the anticipation surrounding the game’s official launch.
