8 Video Game Leaks That Changed EVERYTHING
7. Deus Ex: Human Revolution
Though Square Enix probably won't ever want to admit it, they most likely have a leak to thank for the commercial success of Deus Ex: Human Revolution.
There was considerable skepticism about the sequel's ability to live up to the original Deus Ex leading up to its release, but in June 2011 - less than three months before the game came out - a large preview build was leaked online.
This build, intended only for the press, contained an estimated 10-12 hour chunk of the game, and the reception from players who tried it was overwhelmingly positive, enough that droves of fans loudly announced they were now pre-ordering Human Revolution.
Square Enix swiftly caught and sued the alleged leakers, yet the leak played a huge part in shifting the general fan sentiment leading up to Human Revolution's release, almost certainly contributing to the game's sales success and Square Enix beating their commercial projections for the quarter.
It's probably not too dramatic to say that, without the leaks convincing many to buy the game at full price on day one, sequel Deus Ex: Mankind Divided may never have happened.