Gaming News
Kingdom Hearts IV Steam Leak and World Reveal Timeline
No new developments since Sep 9
Photo: kotaku.com (from the cited article) All clips and posts below are embedded from their original sources.
By the numbers: this timeline documents 8 events from Aug 17, 2026 to Sep 9, 2026, drawn from 2 sources.
Background
Exophase functions as a public database tracking achievements and trophies across various platforms including Steam, PlayStation, and Xbox. Historically, the platform aggregates public backend data fetched through official APIs provided by storefront networks.
Prior to the incident, Square Enix had only officially confirmed that Sora would visit a world based on Pixar’s Coco in Kingdom Hearts IV, while other aspects of the game's setting and narrative remained heavily under wraps.
The timeline
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Square Enix Announces Kingdom Hearts IV Release Window and Coco World
During D23: The Ultimate Disney Fan Event 2026, Square Enix and Disney & Pixar Games reportedly announced Kingdom Hearts IV will release in late 2027 and revealed a world inspired by Coco.[2]
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Kingdom Hearts Anime Series Announced
An original anime series for Disney Channel and Disney+ is reportedly in development in collaboration with Tetsuya Nomura and Square Enix.[2]
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D23 Panel Commemorates 25 Years of Kingdom Hearts
A 'DEEP DIVE into KINGDOM HEARTS' panel reportedly commemorated 25 years of the franchise and unveiled an extended trailer for Kingdom Hearts IV.[2]
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Steam API Exposes Unreleased Game Achievements
A flurry of Steam achievements for numerous major upcoming and unannounced games, including Kingdom Hearts IV, Fable, and Persona 6, reportedly surfaced online through public achievement-tracking tools.[1]
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Exophase Owner Clarifies Valve Backend Error
Exophase site owner Mike Bendel claimed on a ResetEra thread that the data exposure was likely a screw-up on Valve's end rather than a malicious site leak, explaining that private achievements for unreleased games unexpectedly became accessible through the API.[1]
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Leaked Kingdom Hearts IV Achievements Surface
The leaked achievement data allegedly exposed roughly 10 distinct worlds slated for Kingdom Hearts IV, prompting extensive online discussion and community tracking across multiple gaming outlets.[1]
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Star Wars and Zootopia Worlds Indicated
Specific achievement descriptors such as 'A Galaxy Far, Far Away' and 'May the Light Be with You' reportedly pointed toward a Star Wars integration, alongside references hinting at Zootopia, Coco, Toy Story, and other properties.[1]
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Square Enix Reached Out for Official Comment
Media outlets reportedly reached out to publisher Square Enix for official clarification regarding the Kingdom Hearts IV achievement leak, awaiting further comment.[1]
What happens next
Kingdom Hearts IV is scheduled for release in late 2027 (per press.fr.square-enix.com)
Frequently asked
Has Square Enix confirmed the Kingdom Hearts IV worlds leaked via Steam?
As of September 9, 2026, per kotaku.com, Square Enix has been contacted for comment regarding the leaked achievements and is awaiting a response.
How did the Kingdom Hearts IV achievement leak happen?
According to Exophase owner Mike Bendel, an apparent error on Valve's end allowed backend achievement lists that should have remained private to become accessible via the Steam API, causing automated tools to scan them into public trackers.
What new worlds were allegedly revealed in the leak?
The leaked achievements list reportedly referenced locations tied to Star Wars ('A Galaxy Far, Far Away'), Zootopia ('Savanna Central'), Coco ('Land_of_the_Dead'), Toy Story, Haunted Mansion, and Hercules, among others.
Has Square Enix officially confirmed the leaked Kingdom Hearts IV worlds?
No. Square Enix has not officially verified the achievement list or the unannounced world reveals, and industry observers advise taking the leaked details with caution.
More related drama (4)
Sources (2)
Cite this timeline
This timeline compiles 8 dated events from 2 sources. If it helped your reporting, cite it:
GenZHype. “Kingdom Hearts IV Steam Leak and World Reveal Timeline.”
GenZHype, 9 September 2026,
https://genzhype.com/gaming/kingdom-hearts-iv-steam-leak-and-world-reveal-timeline/.