The Game Awards 2025 had a serious leak problem. In the hours leading up to the December 11 show, what appeared to be footage from an official trailer montage started circulating online, giving fans an unwanted sneak peek at announcements that were meant to surprise millions of viewers. While individual trailers for games like Tomb Raider and 007 First Light leaked separately, this montage footage represented something potentially bigger, a compilation that could have revealed multiple games in one fell swoop.
The Leak That Kept on Leaking
The Game Awards 2025 had an unusually high number of pre-show leaks compared to previous years. The Tomb Raider reveal leaked with full cover artwork and trailer screenshots hours before the official announcement. IO Interactive accidentally posted and quickly deleted a trailer for 007 First Light that revealed Lenny Kravitz as the villain Bawma. Even the show schedule allegedly leaked on Reddit, though its authenticity was heavily questioned by users who noticed obvious red flags like a fake Elder Scrolls VI listing.
The trailer montage leak appeared to be yet another security breach in what was shaping up to be one of the leakiest Game Awards in recent memory. According to discussions on the Gaming Leaks and Rumours subreddit, footage emerged that looked like it came from an internal compilation or promotional reel. These montages are typically created for press materials, promotional purposes, or as part of the show itself to showcase multiple upcoming titles in quick succession.
Why This Happens Every Year
Game Awards host Geoff Keighley has spoken publicly about the extreme measures his team takes to prevent leaks. In interviews from previous years, he’s described how the web team works in a special room without internet connection to build nomination materials and trailers, all in an effort to keep everything under wraps until the official reveal. Despite these precautions, leaks have become almost inevitable as the show has grown in scope and importance.
The problem is that The Game Awards isn’t just one entity. It’s a massive collaboration involving dozens of game studios, publishers, marketing teams, press outlets, and production staff. Each trailer shown at the event passes through multiple hands before it reaches the stage. Publishers send materials to The Game Awards production team for approval and timing. Press often receives embargoed materials in advance so they can prepare coverage the moment announcements go live. With so many points of potential failure, it’s almost surprising more doesn’t leak.
The Cost of Spoilers
For game publishers, these leaks represent more than just a ruined surprise. Reports emerged around The Game Awards 2025 claiming that it costs companies up to $450,000 to show a one-minute trailer at the show. That’s a massive investment for what’s essentially a marketing moment, comparable to Super Bowl advertising rates. When a trailer leaks early, publishers lose that carefully orchestrated reveal moment they paid dearly for, along with the social media buzz and press coverage that comes from a shocking announcement.
The montage leak was particularly problematic because it potentially spoiled multiple games simultaneously. Individual trailer leaks are bad enough, but a compilation showing snippets of several unannounced titles could undermine hours of careful planning by multiple studios. Developers spend months coordinating with The Game Awards team on timing, presentation, and messaging. A premature leak turns that coordinated effort into damage control.
What Actually Got Announced
Despite the various leaks, The Game Awards 2025 still delivered plenty of major announcements when it aired on December 11. Larian Studios revealed their next game in the Divinity series, solving the mystery of that demonic statue that had been teased for weeks. Casey Hudson’s new studio Arcanaut unveiled Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, a spiritual successor to Knights of the Old Republic. A pod racing-inspired game called Star Wars: Galactic Racer was announced for 2026 from former Criterion developers.
Amazon Games showcased the new Tomb Raider project, which turned out to include both a remake called Legacy of Atlantis and a separate new title called Catalyst. Capcom showed more of Resident Evil Requiem with confirmation that fan-favorite Leon Kennedy would appear. Other major reveals included Highguard from ex-Apex Legends and Titanfall developers, new looks at games like Phantom Blade Zero and Saros, and surprises like Forest 3 and Ace Combat 8.
The Security Challenge
The recurring leak problem raises questions about whether The Game Awards can ever truly keep secrets in the modern internet age. Even with code names for trailers, air-gapped computers for web development, and strict embargo agreements, determined leakers find ways to access and share information. Social media and forums like Reddit spread leaked content instantly, often faster than companies can issue takedown requests.
Some industry observers have suggested that publishers might actually benefit from strategic leaks that build hype without completely spoiling announcements. Others argue that leaks undermine the carefully crafted narratives companies want to tell about their games. The truth probably lies somewhere in between. A small teaser leak might generate buzz, but a full trailer montage leak hours before the show definitely crosses the line into unwanted territory.
FAQs
What leaked before The Game Awards 2025?
Multiple items leaked including Tomb Raider trailer footage and cover art, a 007 First Light trailer revealing Lenny Kravitz as the villain, an alleged show schedule, and what appeared to be a trailer montage compilation showing multiple game announcements.
How much does it cost to show a trailer at The Game Awards?
According to reports from around The Game Awards 2025, it costs publishers up to $450,000 to show a one-minute trailer at the event, making it comparable to Super Bowl advertising rates in terms of cost and reach.
Why do Game Awards trailers leak so frequently?
Trailers pass through many hands including game studios, publishers, marketing teams, The Game Awards production staff, and press outlets who receive embargoed materials. With so many potential leak points across multiple organizations, maintaining complete secrecy becomes nearly impossible.
What major games were announced at The Game Awards 2025?
Major announcements included Larian Studios’ new Divinity game, Star Wars: Fate of the Old Republic, Star Wars: Galactic Racer, Tomb Raider: Legacy of Atlantis and Catalyst, Resident Evil Requiem with Leon Kennedy, Highguard from ex-Respawn developers, and others.
Does Geoff Keighley’s team try to prevent leaks?
Yes, Keighley has described extreme security measures including having web teams work in rooms without internet connection and using code names for all trailers. Despite these efforts, leaks remain a persistent problem due to the collaborative nature of the show.
Are Game Awards leaks intentional marketing?
While some small teases might be strategic, major leaks like full trailers or montage compilations are generally not intentional. Publishers invest hundreds of thousands of dollars for coordinated reveal moments, and premature leaks undermine that investment.
What was the montage leak?
According to Reddit discussions, alleged footage from a trailer montage compilation leaked before The Game Awards 2025. These montages typically showcase multiple upcoming titles in quick succession and may be used for promotional purposes or as part of the show itself.
Conclusion
The Game Awards 2025 montage leak is just the latest chapter in an ongoing battle between game companies trying to create magical reveal moments and an internet that seems determined to spoil every surprise. While Geoff Keighley and his team continue implementing security measures, the fundamental challenge remains that coordinating a massive show involving dozens of companies creates countless opportunities for information to slip out. For publishers spending nearly half a million dollars per minute of trailer time, these leaks represent real financial and marketing damage. Yet despite everything that leaked ahead of time, The Game Awards 2025 still managed to deliver exciting announcements that generated massive viewership and social media buzz. The show goes on, leaks and all, because at the end of the day, fans just want to see what’s coming next in gaming, whether it’s officially revealed or not.