New Worms game leaked with serious XCOM vibes
Intelligence Summary
- Screenshots of a new Worms game with XCOM influences have leaked, reportedly titled Worms Galactic Tactics.
New Worms game leaked with serious XCOM vibes
Screenshots and footage of a new Worms game have recently surfaced, showing striking similarities to the popular XCOM series. It marks a significant departure from the traditional Worms formula, as the new title appears to fall within the strategy RPG genre.
Origin of the leak
The leaks surrounding this new Worms game came to light in the second week of May 2026, when YouTuber j0nathan shared a screenshot of what could be an early development build of an upcoming Prince of Persia game. That sparked a discussion on social media, where a user named EvilLeeker took the opportunity to also share materials from the unannounced Worms game.
Description of the game
The leaked images reveal that the new title, reportedly called Worms Galactic Tactics, is set in the Worms universe and features 3D maps with a top-down view of the battlefield. It appears to use a mission-based structure in which squads of up to six worms take on much larger enemy forces. Between missions, players can unlock upgrades that make their worms more effective in combat.
Gameplay and style
Unlike the glossy, almost toy-like look of Worms Rumble from 2020, the leaked footage seems to point to a more old-school style seen in earlier 3D Worms games such as Worms 4 and Worms 3D. The game is reportedly not aiming to compete directly with the most complex tactics games on the market, but instead offers a more accessible SRPG.
Timeline
2026-05-06: YouTuber j0nathan posts a screenshot of an unannounced Prince of Persia game.
2026-05-07: EvilLeeker shares materials from a new Worms game on social media.
2026-05-09: Screenshots and gameplay footage of Worms Galactic Tactics spread more widely, with a copyright claim applied to video content.
The leaked screenshots point to a mission structure made up of multiple maps, with upgrades available between missions. It remains unclear whether those upgrades are reset after missions end or whether they are partially or fully retained.
Development and parties involved
Information from the leaks suggests that Team17, the original developer behind the Worms franchise, is directly involved in the development of this new title. That stands in contrast to earlier spin-offs such as Worms Crazy Golf and Worms: Open Warfare 2, which were developed by external studios. The project codename, Project Arrakis, appears to reference the desert planet from Frank Herbert's Dune novels. Screenshots from a Steam client show that the game was in a pre-alpha state in August 2025.
The strong art direction and refreshed gameplay leave room for a fresh take on the Worms franchise, while still keeping the classic elements intact. With no official release announced yet, fans of the series remain curious about what Team17 has in store for this new iteration.
