Starfield Leaker Booked On Felony Charge After Allegedly Trying To Sell Stolen Copies

The captivating tale of an infamous Starfield leaker has culminated in the apprehension of a 29-year-old individual on a felony charge, marking the dramatic conclusion of a series of events that rocked the gaming community. The individual in question, Darin Harris, now faces legal consequences for his alleged attempt to profit from stolen copies of the highly anticipated game prior to its official release on September 1.

In an unexpected twist of events, Darin Harris was officially processed by the Shelby County, Tennessee Sheriff’s Office on August 24, sending shockwaves through gaming circles. The charges filed against him encompass a range of offenses, including a felony charge for possessing stolen property with a value estimated to be between $2,500 and $10,000. Accompanying this major charge are misdemeanor allegations involving stolen property valued at $1,000 or less, as well as a separate misdemeanor charge related to the possession of marijuana.

Despite the unfolding drama, Harris has yet to provide a statement or response regarding the charges levied against him. Equally noteworthy is the silence from gaming giants Bethesda and Microsoft, both of whom have refrained from immediate commentary on the incident.

The saga began to unfold when Harris initially posted approximately 45 minutes of gameplay from Starfield online, triggering a viral frenzy within the gaming community. The grainy cellphone footage, though taken down from YouTube due to copyright issues, managed to circulate on various social media platforms, amassing millions of views. Notably, viewers were quick to observe that Harris appeared somewhat unfamiliar with the gameplay mechanics of Bethesda’s RPGs and modern shooters in general, sparking speculation about his intentions and expertise.

First #Review #Gameplay of #Starfield is here no offense @Todd_Howard_BE pic.twitter.com/DoEp6lPyhi

— Ashenslinky (@ashenslinky) August 22, 2023

In a subsequent twist that baffled many, Harris ventured into the realm of online commerce by listing stolen copies of Starfield for sale on the Japanese e-commerce platform Mercari. Among the listings was the sought-after Constellation Edition, which included an exclusive custom-made NASA-punk space watch. Remarkably, several copies were reported as sold at prices closely aligned with their retail value. One listing, intriguingly titled “RESERVED for Chris‼️ Starfield Xbox Series X/S Bundle,” added an extra layer of mystery to the unfolding narrative.

As the intrigue deepened, Harris posted videos depicting his visits to FedEx to arrange the shipment of the sold copies. Skepticism grew among fans and gaming enthusiasts, with suspicions emerging that the entire episode might be an elaborate scam. Many questioned how Harris had managed to secure access to such a significant number of copies prior to the official release.

A captivating climax occurred when a video surfaced, revealing Harris diligently affixing labels to packages containing the coveted Starfield copies. The intriguing visual showcased a pile of the unreleased game beside him, further fueling speculation and curiosity.

In the midst of the unfolding drama, Harris himself shared another video, in which he addressed the initial leak and offered his unique perspective. “Todd, no offense man, that’s a good game,” he stated, directly referencing Todd Howard, the game director behind Starfield. “They were saying I play like a beginner cause I’m not a game expert I was just trying something out. That’s a good game y’all don’t want to miss it.”

This captivating saga serves as a reminder of the intense passion and anticipation that surround the gaming industry’s major releases. It also underscores the consequences that can arise from unauthorized actions that attempt to capitalize on pre-release excitement. As the gaming world eagerly awaits the official launch of Starfield, the aftermath of this incident will likely continue to spark discussions and reflections on the evolving dynamics between creators, fans, and leaks within the digital age.