Valve has pulled the game Sniper: Phantom’s Resolution from its popular online store, Steam, after players flagged the demo for secretly installing malware. What was advertised as an intense first-person shooter experience turned out to be a cybersecurity threat.
The game promised gamers a world of “realistic FPS mechanics, dynamic storytelling, and high-stakes missions.” However, that excitement quickly turned into alarm once users on Reddit began digging deeper into the free demo. Reports surfaced earlier this week from players who analyzed the files and discovered it wasn’t just a game—it was a trap.
Players quickly raised red flags, sharing their findings across gaming forums. According to those early investigations, downloading the demo exposed computers to malicious software, sparking serious concerns within the gaming community.
Following the growing reports, Valve acted swiftly and removed Sniper: Phantom’s Resolution from Steam. The decision was first reported by TheGamer, which highlighted the increasing risk of malware posing as legitimate indie games.
Unfortunately, this isn’t the first time Valve has faced such a situation. Just last month, the platform had to scrub PirateFi—another seemingly harmless game that turned out to be a cover for an info-stealer. That malware targeted sensitive player data like passwords, putting user security at significant risk.
Valve has yet to release an official statement regarding Sniper: Phantom’s Resolution or explain how it slipped through Steam’s security checks. The lack of comment leaves many players wondering what more can be done to protect the platform from similar incidents.
As malware threats continue evolving, even gamers must stay vigilant. What looks like the next hit indie game could, in reality, be a cyberattack waiting to happen.
