At this point, Ars readers have heard countless tales of computer users being forced to pay significant sums to unlock files encrypted with malicious ransomware. So we were a bit surprised when word started to trickle out about a new bit of ransomware that doesn't ask for money. Instead, "Rensenware" forces players to get a high score in a difficult PC shoot-em-up to decrypt their files.

As Malware Hunter Team noted yesterday, users on systems infected with Rensenware are faced with the usual ransomware-style warning that “your precious data like documents, musics, pictures, and some kinda project files” have been “encrypted with highly strong encryption algorithm.” The only way to break the encryption lock, according to the warning, is to “score 0.2 billion in LUNATIC level” on TH12 ~ Undefined Fantastic Object. That’s easier said than done, as this gameplay video of the “bullet hell” style Japanese shooter shows.

youtu.be/HL9uMqNdO…