Microsoft Can't Stop Leaking Games (But They Really Need To)
Timing is supposed to be everything, but evidently Microsoft isn’t getting the hint, as it has revealed important details about upcoming games on three separate occasions in the last few weeks. While this may seem like only a careless mistake, it has important consequences going forward and could lead to more problems for the company in the long-term.
With valuable information being released ahead of schedule, it has forced many developers to confirm the details of games prematurely. In some cases, they’ve had to do so only days before the scheduled unveiling of a title. This disadvantages the developers while also giving Microsoft an advantage publicity-wise since its name has been all over the leaks and headlines.
However, with noted developers like Hangar 13, Crytkek, and EA Motive being denied the chance to release information about games in production on their terms, it’s likely to cause friction between the developers and the large-scale publisher. This could have ramifications for game releases in the future and could equally damage the reputation of Microsoft, one of the leading figures in the gaming industry.
In mid-May, gamers noticed that the Microsoft Store had listed Mafia: Definitive Edition as set to release on May 27th. It also featured a short description of the game, which is being developed by Hangar13. A teaser for the game originally dropped on May 13th, which promised that more details were to come on the 19th. But the Microsoft Store leak happened only hours after the teaser debuted, lessening excitement for Hangar13’s subsequent reveal event.
Then a similar incident occurred on June 13th when the Microsoft Store prematurely shared the name and artwork of Star Wars: Squadrons, which was previously rumored to be under the code name Maverick. EA Motive is publishing the multiplayer game and released a tweet confirming the game shortly after the leak. They also promised a trailer would be released two days later on the 15th in a YouTube Livestream – likely the event EA Motive was waiting for to announce the game in the first place.
Finally, for the third month in a row, another leak took place on July 1st. The first reveal of Crysis Remastered was supposed to take place via YouTube gameplay premiere at the start of the month. However, a day prior, the Microsoft Store posted the launch date as well as various details about the game and a description. This incident was the third time in six weeks that Microsoft leaked important details about an upcoming title. Developer Crytek eventually delayed their gameplay reveal in light of mixed reactions from gamers towards the leaks.
Clearly, Microsoft has a problem with leaking information about upcoming games, and for everyone's sake, they better get a better handle on their release methods soon.