10 Gaming Leaks that Turned Out to Be True

Leaks are now a frequent problem in the video game industry, and it’s increasingly hard for developers to keep upcoming games a secret. These leaks can have a big impact – sometimes creating excitement, other times causing problems or derailing a game’s momentum. It’s a strange phenomenon often filled with misleading information, but even if a leak is inaccurate, it always gets people discussing the game.

Throughout the history of video games, many incidents have sparked discussions and debates. While game companies are now more cautious about controlling access to content, these situations still occur fairly often.

Okay, so sometimes the info about upcoming games comes straight from the developers themselves – a slip of the tongue, maybe? But just as often, it’s the fans who dig stuff up! I’m going to walk you through some of the biggest and most memorable leaks in gaming history – the ones everyone talks about.

Spoilers for some games below.

10. Assassin’s Creed II

The True Arrival of an Iconic Series

Assassin’s Creed II is widely considered the game that made the series a huge success. Details about the game first appeared online through a leak, revealing a stunning new setting in Italy and significantly improved parkour movement. The leak also revealed a change in protagonists – players would now control a new character named Ezio instead of the original hero, Altair.

Typically, developers try to ignore leaks, but Ubisoft did the opposite – they confirmed the leaked information was accurate and quickly followed up with an official announcement. Unlike with another game, the change in main character wasn’t controversial. In fact, it actually improved the story and introduced a memorable character who would go on to star in the next two games.

9. Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty

Kojima Sets the Stage

In 2001, the gaming landscape was changing with the arrival of the PlayStation 2. Hideo Kojima announced that Solid Snake would return in the next Metal Gear Solid game, which excited fans—and for good reason! This was confirmed when a demo for Metal Gear Solid 2: Sons of Liberty was included with the game Zone of the Enders. However, Kojima’s playful announcement was surprisingly both truthful and misleading at the same time.

Okay, so imagine starting the game as Solid Snake, right? Like, actually playing through that amazing tanker intro – seriously one of the best openings ever. But then, it quickly becomes clear he’s not the main character this time around. Instead, you’re playing as this new guy, Raiden, and Snake takes a backseat. It caused a huge uproar back then – people were not happy! Looking back, it seems a little overblown, but it really shook things up. It also proved that game developers could take big chances and still create something truly legendary.

8. Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2

A Reveal That Set the Tone

The release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 was a big deal for the franchise, especially after the previous game moved to a modern setting. A lot of buzz surrounded a leaked mission called “No Russian.” Many people believed the leak was just a marketing ploy to generate excitement, as the mission seemed far too shocking to be real. The idea of a scene where players would kill innocent people at an airport just seemed unbelievable and unlikely to be approved.

Back in 2009, the gaming world was really pushing boundaries, and this event was a prime example. As it turned out, the leaked information was genuine, and it became one of the most talked-about and controversial moments in gaming history. It was a surprising move, demonstrating that even a huge franchise like Call of Duty was willing to take big risks—risks that didn’t necessarily seem justified—and still succeed. This marked the start of larger game studios becoming more willing to experiment with bolder ideas than they might have in the past.

7. Grand Theft Auto 6

An Earthshaking Reveal

For a long time, details about Grand Theft Auto 6 were kept under wraps, but that changed when gameplay footage unexpectedly leaked. Despite Rockstar Games wanting to keep everything secret, we got a preview of a very early, unfinished version of the game. To be frank, it wasn’t very impressive – it looked like a typical third-person shooter with okay graphics, and didn’t really live up to the hype.

Everyone was stunned when the game was released unexpectedly, especially after the amazing trailer captivated the world. Rockstar Games is famous for its security – it’s practically impenetrable – so the leak was a huge surprise. It proves that no company is completely safe from hackers who want to ruin things for everyone else. If even Grand Theft Auto 6 can be leaked, it means any game is vulnerable.

6. Half-Life 2

A Leak that Rocked the Company

Half-Life 2 is considered a landmark game, but its release was nearly derailed by a major leak. Shortly before launch, hackers broke into Valve and exposed gameplay details, story spoilers, and even the game’s complete source code – a serious breach, especially since it wasn’t the final version. Understandably, Valve was deeply upset by this.

Turns out all the spoilers about the game were accurate, but the real problem was early, unfinished versions of the game getting leaked. This caused the game to be delayed, and people kept questioning if the leaks were even real. It’s easy to see why Valve has been so cautious about sharing anything about Half-Life 3 – after something like this, it’s hard to know if it’s even worth releasing it.

5. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered

A Leak to the Past

Image Via Bethesda

Around spring 2025, rumors began circulating online about a possible remake of The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion. The leaks caused a lot of excitement and debate – some reliable sources hinted it was genuine, while others believed the images were AI-generated. It was a particularly engaging leak, and it seemed the developers were subtly encouraging the speculation. There wasn’t any actual gameplay footage, just small screenshots and hints appearing on store pages like Steam, suggesting the game was in development.

The day finally arrived when the developers confirmed that Oblivion Remastered was actually happening. And it wasn’t just confirmed – it was released immediately! It was a truly surprising moment, one of the most exciting I’ve experienced in gaming. The sudden release felt rewarding for those who had been following the hints for months. To be honest, the excitement surrounding the announcement almost made people forget that the game itself was largely unchanged from the 2005 original, simply with improved graphics.

Ultimately, it didn’t matter that this information leaked, because it was an incredibly exciting event. It not only reminded fans of Bethesda’s past greatness, but also showcased the impressive skills of Virtuous.

4. Final Fantasy VII

A Shift to a New Age

For years, the Final Fantasy series was exclusive to Nintendo consoles, and the company seemed poised to continue that relationship into the next generation of gaming. However, rumors began circulating – and wouldn’t stop – that Final Fantasy 7 would actually appear on the Sony PlayStation. Many considered this impossible, like a beloved hero turning villain. The idea was so shocking that most people dismissed it as a marketing ploy to generate excitement for the new game.

Final Fantasy 7 wasn’t just a game – it completely revolutionized the gaming landscape. It burst onto the scene with stunning graphics and a compelling story filled with unforgettable characters, including what many consider the most iconic video game villain ever created. Squaresoft’s decision to release the game on PlayStation was a gamble, but it paid off immensely. The PlayStation’s power allowed the Final Fantasy series to thrive like never before, solidifying the JRPG genre and turning Final Fantasy into a household name – a franchise that continues to be celebrated as one of the greatest of all time.

3. The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion

The Leak that Opened the World

Interestingly, the initial leaks for The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion weren’t caused by a security breach or someone inside Bethesda. It turns out the leaks came from retailers! It’s hard to imagine now, but people used to buy games in stores, and before Bethesda officially announced Oblivion, details and even listings for the game started appearing on store websites.

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Back then, Bethesda wasn’t the gaming giant it is now. Morrowind had been moderately successful, and Fallout 3 was still two years away. When details of this new game leaked, Bethesda quickly confirmed it, and the result was revolutionary. It was a truly groundbreaking moment for me as a gamer. I’d seen consoles evolve from Nintendo to PlayStation 1 and 2, but this felt completely different. Suddenly, players could explore a vast, immersive world, and unlike Morrowind, it was absolutely beautiful. It was a defining game for the Xbox 360 and a moment that will be remembered for a long time.

2. Halo 2

Spoiling the Chief’s Mission

Before its official launch, the full story of Halo 2 was leaked, causing a major stir in the gaming world. This happened because a copy of the French version of the game was released early. It was one of the first times I became aware that some regions receive games before others. Surprisingly, Bungie responded well, confirming the leaked copy was genuine and warning players that spoilers were circulating.

Halo 2 really stood out because players got to experience the story through two different characters, and it had a much larger multiplayer mode than the original Halo. Back in 2004, Halo was the dominant game in the industry, and the game’s innovations were surprising to many. However, this was before social media became widespread, so the news spread differently than it would today.

Back then, things were different. There was no Twitter, no Google suggesting articles, and no smartphones. If you disconnected your computer for a few days, you were generally safe from spoilers. Fortunately, most people heeded Bungie’s advice, and the game launched to incredible praise. It was a huge improvement over the first game, with a much better story – and everything matched the information that had been leaked beforehand.

1. The Last of Us Part II

The Leak that Sank the Name

2020 was a tough year, with the world battling a pandemic. That’s why there was so much anticipation for the release of The Last of Us Part II. Stuck at home, people were really looking forward to something new to focus on. Unfortunately, major spoilers started leaking online, and many discovered a shocking plot twist: Joel, a key character, would be killed off, despite not being a prominent playable character in the game.

The game’s shocking direction left players divided. While some embraced it, others were horrified by the sudden removal of the original game’s hero, especially after an eight-year wait. This created a hugely controversial launch, becoming one of the most polarizing releases in recent years. Fans either passionately defended the game or completely rejected it. The whole situation began with an early leak that hinted at the changes to come.

2026-02-26 01:41