Close Menu
  • Latest
  • Help Support Independent Journalism
  • Features
  • Gaming
    • All Gaming
    • Nintendo
    • PlayStation
    • Xbox
    • PC Gaming
    • Card & Tabletop
    • VR
  • Guides
  • Entertainment
    • All Entertainment
    • Anime & Animation
    • Movies and TV
    • Books
    • Manga & Comics
    • Toys
    • Geek
    • Culture
  • Previews
  • Reviews
    • All Reviews
    • Video Game
    • Anime & Animation
    • Movie & TV
    • Comic Book & Manga
    • Tech & Gear
    • Food
    • Book
    • Toys
    • Tabletop and Card Game
  • Podcasts
    • A-01 Podcast
    • Nintendo Entertainment Podcast
    • Spectator Mode Podcast
  • Contact Us
X (Twitter) YouTube RSS Bluesky Discord
X (Twitter) Instagram YouTube Bluesky Discord
The OuterhavenThe Outerhaven
  • Latest
  • Features
  • Guides
  • Previews
  • Reviews
    • Video Game Reviews
    • Anime & Animation Reviews
    • Comic Book & Manga Reviews
    • Films & TV Reviews
    • Tech Reviews
    • Tabletop and Card Game Reviews
    • Toy Reviews
  • Gaming
    • PlayStation
    • Nintendo
    • Xbox
    • PC Gaming
    • Retro Gaming
    • Tabletop
    • Virtual Reality
  • Entertainment
    • Anime & Animation
    • Comic Books & Manga
    • Films & TV
    • Original English Light Novels DB
    • OELN DB
    • Culture
    • Books
    • Toys
  • Tech
  • Podcasts
    • A-01 Podcast
    • Nintendo Entertainment Podcast
    • Spectator Mode Podcast
The OuterhavenThe Outerhaven
Home»News»Gaming News»Tetsuya Nomura Reconsiders Simultaneous Worldwide Releases Thanks To Kingdom Hearts III Leak

Tetsuya Nomura Reconsiders Simultaneous Worldwide Releases Thanks To Kingdom Hearts III Leak

By Keith MitchellJanuary 24, 2019
Kingdom Hearts Final Battle

Great job, internet. You ruined it for us all

One of the biggest issue with the internet, at for any industry, are leaks. Game leaks, movie leaks, and even technology leaks. We’ve touched base about leaks and how we feel about them on numerous occasions. They do nothing but ruin things for people that have been waiting on them and nothing really good comes from them. Now it would seem that the director of Kingdom Hearts III, Tetsuya Nomura, is in agreement. So much that he’s seriously reconsidering future worldwide releases going forth.

“After this incident I can’t help but reconsider things like simultaneous worldwide releases, at least for physical editions, of games I work on from here on out,” he tells Famitsu. “The risk of simultaneous worldwide releases is high.”

This follows the story that multiple copies of Kingdom Hearts III were released in the wild. Copies that were stolen from a distribution center that was holding on to the game until it was ready to be shipped to stores. Since that happened, the internet was flooded with various screenshots and videos. Both of which contained more than enough content to spoil the game. One can even argue that if it wasn’t as easy as it is to post said content, perhaps the games might have not been stolen. Sadly, the draw of seeing anything from Kingdom Hearts III was too great for many.

So great that Tetsuya Nomura had to release a formal apology to the fans that have been eagerly awaiting the release of the game.

An important message for #KingdomHearts III from Director Tetsuya Nomura: pic.twitter.com/j9aVRFTS5B

— KINGDOM HEARTS (@KINGDOMHEARTS) December 16, 2018

However, I have to disagree with Tetsuya Nomura’s thought process. I don’t think putting an end to future worldwide simultaneous isn’t the answer. Instead, there needs to be better management of these games that sit in these warehouses. There needs to be better accountability. Perhaps locking them away and only giving access to only the management of those locations would be a better alternative. Those responsible for the theft of said titles need to be prosecuted and made an example of. That’s the only real recourse.

Or you know, he and everyone else could totally upset the balance and only release their future titles via digital means only. Sure, it would never happen (right?), but it would stop any possible leaks from happening.

I’m also guessing that he hasn’t taken into consideration that releasing the game on two completely dates, a week apart isn’t helping. While Kingdom Hearts III releases in Japan tomorrow for the PlayStation and Xbox One, It doesn’t get released in North American until January 29, 2019. Even if the game didn’t get leaked, the floodgates of content from the Japanese release would surely set the internet on fire. 

Source: Famistu & Animenewsnetwork

Kingdom Hearts III leaks Tetsuya Nomura
Keith Mitchell - Headshot-PS_Gear_400x400
Keith Mitchell
  • X (Twitter)
  • LinkedIn

Keith D. Mitchell is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Outerhaven, where he has been covering video games and technology for more than 14 years. A lifelong PC gamer, he began building PCs at just eight years old and still loves talking about hardware as much as playing games. His passion for challenging experiences has made him a devoted Soulslike fan, having beaten nearly every FromSoftware release. Keith regularly attends major gaming and technology events to bring firsthand coverage to readers, and continues to enjoy writing about the games and gear that shaped his love for the industry.

Latest Articles

There’s A Reason Nintendo Doesn’t Use The Term “Nindies” Anymore

December 7, 2025

Riftbound Reveals: What Went Down at the PAX Unplugged Panel

December 7, 2025

Death Battle Summons Our Childhoods With Ash Vs Yugi!

December 7, 2025

Horror Collector Receives TV Anime

December 7, 2025

Manga Review: Queen’s Quality Vol. 24

December 7, 2025

Manga Review: Astro Royale Vol. 3

December 7, 2025
About Us • Our Team • Contact Us • Privacy Policy • Review Policy
Ethics Policy • Terms of Service • Metacritic • OpenCritic • CriticDB
Ownership & Funding Disclosure • Fact Checking & Corrections Policy • Editorial Policy
Copyright @2025 The Outerhaven Productions

Type above and press Enter to search. Press Esc to cancel.