The BYOND game engine, best known for powering cult-favorite multiplayer experiences like Space Station 13, has become the target of a sustained DDoS (Distributed Denial of Service) attack that has lasted several weeks. The motivation behind the cyber assault? A self-proclaimed activist group wants the platform to go open source—and they’re willing to cripple the service to make it happen.
What’s happening?
Since around May 10, BYOND’s website and online hub services have experienced severe disruptions due to repeated DDoS attacks. Players have reported difficulties logging in, accessing games, and even visiting the official website. The group behind the attack, calling themselves the “FOSS Brethren of BYOND,” claims to be pushing for freedom and transparency by forcing the developer’s hand.
In a now-deleted Reddit post, the attackers stated:
“Attacks on BYOND servers are a symptom of your obstinance. We demand you voluntarily side with progress.”
Developer Response
BYOND’s sole developer, LummoxJR, acknowledged the attacks in a recent update and made it clear he has no intention of releasing the engine’s source code.
“Well, that happened. And it’s still happening,” he wrote. “If you want to support BYOND, we’re on Patreon and SubscribeStar.”
He also noted that community members have managed to connect to games directly via IP as a temporary workaround.
The Bigger Picture
The attack raises ethical concerns about using force to demand open-source transparency. While some developers sympathize with the idea of open-sourcing legacy tech, the method—essentially holding a platform hostage—has sparked widespread backlash.
Community discussions online have been polarized, with some calling it “digital terrorism” and others framing it as a form of necessary disruption to encourage change.
Current Status
As of this writing, BYOND remains partially functional but continues to suffer from intermittent outages. Mitigation efforts are ongoing, and users are advised to follow the BYOND Discord for updates.
