The gaming community’s bi-annual ritual is returning, and it’s about to get spicy. The r/GamingLeaksAndRumours subreddit is preparing to vote on their leaker credibility tier list, a ranking system that determines which gaming insiders can be trusted and which ones should be taken with an entire salt mine. With over 500,000 members, this community has become the de facto authority on who’s reliable when it comes to gaming leaks and rumors.
Before the actual voting begins, moderators opened the floor for community suggestions on who should be added or removed from the current roster. The prep thread shows just how seriously this community takes leak verification, with users debating whether certain leakers deserve to stay on the list or if their recent track records warrant removal.
How the Tier System Actually Works
The ranking system breaks down into six distinct categories plus a banned section for leakers who violated community rules. Tier 1 represents “Very Reliable” sources with proven track records, while Tier 6 is reserved for “Unproven” leakers who haven’t established credibility yet. The middle tiers capture everything from “Generally Reliable” down to “Essentially Clickbait” depending on accuracy rates.
What makes this system unique is that it’s entirely community-driven through voting rather than moderator decisions. Each leaker gets evaluated based on their history of correct and incorrect predictions across multiple gaming platforms and publishers. The goal is eventually building a comprehensive database tracking every leak as either confirmed or debunked, allowing percentage-based reliability scores.
Currently, Tier 1 includes heavyweight journalists like Jason Schreier from Bloomberg and Tom Henderson from Insider Gaming, both of whom have established reputations for accurate reporting backed by genuine industry sources. Jeff Grubb, another prominent figure, typically lands in Tier 2 as “Generally Reliable” despite occasionally missing the mark on timing predictions.
The Heavy Hitters Everyone Watches
Jason Schreier remains the gold standard for gaming journalism and leaks. His investigative reporting has broken major stories about game development, workplace conditions, and unrevealed projects years before official announcements. When Schreier says something is happening, publishers take notice because his sourcing is meticulous and his accuracy rate approaches perfection.
Tom Henderson built his reputation leaking Battlefield and Call of Duty details before expanding into broader industry coverage through Insider Gaming. When he reported information about GTA 6’s development timeline back in 2021, Schreier himself confirmed that everything Henderson said matched what he’d heard independently. That endorsement effectively validated Henderson as a Tier 1 source.
The Nintendo leak scene has its own pantheon of reliable sources. Pyoro became legendary for cryptic tweets that accurately hinted at upcoming Nintendo Direct announcements, often revealing game details hours before official presentations. Midori similarly established a strong track record with Nintendo leaks, though controversy erupted when the community discovered discrepancies about the leaker’s identity claims.
Then there’s the community favorite wildcard entry, Walmart Canada. Yes, the retail chain earned a spot on the leaker tier list after accidentally publishing placeholder listings for unannounced games ahead of E3 several years ago. The leak was so comprehensive and accurate that it essentially spoiled a significant portion of that year’s major announcements. Users are now debating whether Walmart Canada deserves “legacy” status since they haven’t had any major leaks recently.
The Lower Tiers and Controversy Magnets
Not everyone makes it to the top tiers. Moore’s Law Is Dead consistently lands in Tier 4 as “Generally Unreliable” despite occasionally getting hardware specifications correct. The channel’s mix of legitimate insider information and speculative claims makes it difficult to separate fact from educated guessing.
Some leakers have been outright banned from being cited as sources on the subreddit. Robert Serrano, Foxxy Games, and Zippo all earned permanent bans for either fabricating information, deliberately misleading the community, or other rule violations. The banned category serves as a warning about what happens when credibility completely collapses.
The tier system also reveals how quickly fortunes can change in the leaking business. Emily Rodgers was once considered highly reliable for Nintendo information but has largely gone silent in recent years, raising questions about whether inactive leakers should remain on the list. Similarly, some users questioned whether BeatEmUps should be removed after he admitted that one of his supposed leaks was actually just an “experiment” that unintentionally raised false expectations.
Why This Actually Matters
The leaker tier list serves a practical purpose beyond community entertainment. With gaming news cycles increasingly driven by leaks and rumors, having a reliable credibility ranking helps readers separate legitimate insider information from attention-seeking speculation. Publishers rarely confirm or deny leaks until they’re ready to make official announcements, leaving consumers to evaluate source reliability themselves.
The system also creates accountability for leakers who might otherwise throw anything at the wall to see what sticks. Knowing the community tracks accuracy rates and publicly ranks credibility provides incentive to verify information before publishing. A leaker who drops into lower tiers loses influence and audience trust, while climbing the rankings brings increased attention and legitimacy.
For journalists like Schreier and Henderson, the tier list validates their professional reporting standards. They’re not just random Twitter accounts making guesses based on speculation; they’re actual journalists with editorial oversight and professional reputations at stake. The tier system recognizes that distinction while still holding them accountable for accuracy.
The Leakies Awards Add Extra Drama
Beyond the tier voting, the subreddit also hosts annual “Leakies” awards recognizing the biggest leaks, most anticipated reveals, and even most hated industry moments of the year. The 2024 awards saw Jeff Grubb named Leaker of the Year while the massive Game Freak data breach won Leak of the Year. The Switch 2 prototype leaks earned runner-up status for most anticipated confirmed information.
The “Most Hated Leak” category captured community frustration with Xbox’s closure of four studios including Tango Gameworks, coming shortly after Xbox executive Matt Booty’s statement about needing “small prestigious studios.” The award highlighted how leaks don’t just reveal unannounced games but also expose uncomfortable industry realities about layoffs and studio shutdowns.
What Happens Next
Once the prep phase concludes and moderators finalize the roster, voting will open for community members to rank each leaker across the six tiers. The process typically takes several days as members evaluate track records, recent accuracy, and overall reliability. Results get compiled into an official tier list that the community references whenever new leaks emerge.
The timing of this particular vote coincides with a challenging period for gaming leakers overall. Nintendo has aggressively pursued legal action against leakers following the Switch 2 prototype revelations, while other publishers have tightened internal security to prevent information from escaping. Some prominent leakers have gone dark or significantly reduced their activity amid increased legal risks.
Frequently Asked Questions
How often does the GamingLeaksAndRumours tier voting happen?
The voting occurs twice per year, making it a bi-annual event. This regular schedule allows the community to adjust rankings based on recent performance while preventing the list from becoming outdated. Leakers can move up or down tiers depending on their accuracy over the previous six months.
Can anyone participate in the voting?
Any member of the r/GamingLeaksAndRumours subreddit can participate in the voting process. The community has over 500,000 members, though actual voting participation is typically much lower. Moderators compile the results and publish the official tier list based on aggregate community rankings.
What gets a leaker banned from the list entirely?
Leakers can be banned for deliberately fabricating information, violating subreddit rules, or engaging in behavior that undermines community trust. Past banned leakers include Robert Serrano, Foxxy Games, and Zippo. Once banned, they cannot be cited as sources in posts on the subreddit regardless of what they claim.
Why is Walmart Canada on a leaker tier list?
Walmart Canada accidentally published placeholder listings for multiple unannounced games ahead of a major E3 presentation several years ago. The leak was so accurate and comprehensive that it effectively spoiled a significant portion of that year’s announcements. The community added them to the tier list as both recognition and humor, though users now debate whether they deserve legacy status since no recent leaks have occurred.
How reliable are Tier 1 leakers compared to official announcements?
Tier 1 leakers like Jason Schreier and Tom Henderson have accuracy rates that approach official confirmation levels. However, timing can still be uncertain, and plans can change during development. When these leakers report information, it’s generally based on legitimate sources, but game delays or cancellations can make even accurate leaks appear incorrect if circumstances change after reporting.
Do game publishers pay attention to the tier list?
While publishers don’t officially acknowledge the tier list, they’re certainly aware of which leakers consistently report accurate information. Companies have pursued legal action against some leakers and tightened internal security in response to repeated leaks. The tier list essentially formalizes what industry insiders already know about which sources are reliable.
What happens if a leaker gets something majorly wrong?
A single incorrect leak doesn’t automatically tank a leaker’s tier ranking, especially if they have a strong overall track record. However, patterns of incorrect information or major misses on highly publicized claims will result in dropping tiers during the next voting cycle. The system evaluates overall accuracy rather than demanding perfection.
Conclusion
The GamingLeaksAndRumours tier voting represents one of gaming’s most interesting community-driven accountability systems. In an industry where information control is paramount and official announcements are carefully orchestrated, leakers occupy a controversial but undeniably influential space. By creating a transparent ranking system based on track records and community consensus, the subreddit provides a valuable service for anyone trying to evaluate the endless stream of gaming rumors circulating online. Whether you view leakers as necessary whistleblowers exposing industry practices or nuisances spoiling carefully planned reveals, the tier list offers an objective framework for measuring credibility. As the voting approaches, expect heated debates about who deserves promotion, who should drop tiers, and whether Walmart Canada truly belongs alongside professional journalists in the pantheon of gaming leak history.