We were HACKED!… Just kidding. BUT we did get leaked.

On September 9th, 2026, a backend API configuration issue at Valve accidentally exposed private Steam achievement data. The incident revealed unannounced games, narrative details and gameplay mechanics, across dozens of titles from major AAA publishers to indie developers. Over 125 games had their achievement lists, character names, and potential story details leaked online.

What Actually Happened? (It Wasn’t an External Hack)

Contrary to early reports floating around social media calling the event a “cyber attack,” the leak stemmed from a technical error within Valve’s own Steam Web API. Valve temporarily lifted access restrictions on internal, private achievement databases. Games that developers had marked as hidden or private suddenly became readable via the API.

Web platforms designed to track gaming trophies (for example: Exophase) began automatically scanning and indexing the newly opened data. Mike Bendel (owner of Exophase) confirmed that the system simply picked up data that Valve had accidentally exposed.

What Was Leaked for Custom Hobo?

While giant RPGs saw story settings exposed, indie games were caught in the crossfire as well. Our very own Custom Hobo had 16 total Steam achievements scraped directly into public tracking databases.

The list confirmed several core gameplay loops, weapons, and comedy elements:

Limb & Body Customization:

  • Recapitated - Replace your brain with somebody else’s.
  • The Nub - Survive with no arms or legs.
  • Snake in the Grass - Murder an ally in H.O.B.O. Command (don’t worry, they grow back).

Weapons & Traps:

  • Pistol Popper - Kill 10 enemies with the pistol.
  • Firestarter - Kill 30 enemies with fire.
  • Pyromaniac - Kill 50 enemies with the flamethrower.
  • Bricked Up - Kill 10 enemies with bricks.

Progression, Lore, & Evacuation:

  • See the Shadow - Discover the Covert Operative.
  • Homeless - Die during an evac back to H.Q.
  • Hobo Grunt / Sergeant / General - Complete 3, 8, and 25 missions for H.O.B.O.

Die & Retry Loop:

  • Taste of Freedom - Die.
  • Grave Accent - Die 50 Times.
  • I didn’t hear no bell - Die 100 Times.

Well, since Valve decided to (accidentally) spill the beans early, we figured… Why let Valve have all the fun? If our achievements are going to leak, we might as well leak one more on our own terms! Straight from the dev team, here is one more brand-new achievement specifically tied to our custom level editor:

Custom Level Editor:

  • Playing G.O.D. - (Grand Overseer of Destruction) Build and save a custom level of your own.

Other Major AAA Games & Surprises Exposed

A massive list of titles from publishers like Square Enix, Atlus, Xbox Game Studios, and Take-Two.

Other Leaked Titles

  • Persona 6: Probably the biggest leak in the entire database. Atlus has kept Persona 6 tightly under wraps, but the leaked list of 48 achievements revealed setting details and combat mechanics.
  • Kingdom Hearts IV: Achievements appear to confirm multiple unannounced Disney worlds. References pointing to a “Galaxy Far, Far Away” have practically confirmed a Star Wars crossover world, alongside heavy hints for retro and classic Disney settings.
  • Gears of War: E-Day & Fable: Xbox Game Studios saw upcoming milestone descriptions exposed for both massive titles.
  • Minecraft Dungeons 2 & Control Resonant: Sequel titles that hadn’t yet been officially titled or detailed by their respective publishers.

Surprise Remasters & Franchise Leaks

  • Unannounced Remasters: Deus Ex Remastered, Thief: The Dark Project Remastered, Shrek 2 Remaster, and Dynasty Warriors 3 Complete Remastered.
  • New Unannounced Projects: An unannounced Nickelodeon life-sim/Animal Crossing-style game, a new Telltale’s The Walking Dead Collection, and a PC version of Candy Crush.

What Happens Next?

Valve quickly responded by securing the API endpoints and shutting off public visibility for unreleased title metadata. While developers and publishers are currently dealing with the administrative aftermath of spoiled reveals, the leak provides fans with a rare, behind-the-curtain look at what is coming to Steam.

For games like Custom Hobo, the early peek at mechanics like limb-swapping and brain replacement only adds to the hype as its Steam Next Fest demo approaches!

If you’re curious how we created our physics-based brawling madness, read up on it in our technical blog posts, like the one about our custom physics simulation!