Thought to share a pretty impressive past 30 days of traffic on HF.
These are better numbers than 6 months ago when were in around the 320-350k 30 day unique visitors. HF traffic has been increasing. Despite post count being low, we have lots of traffic. This is great for advertisers who are looking for customers.
The Hack Forum News Team welcomes everyone back this week with another update on the weekly news to keep you up to date on the latest news on site and around the world. If you have never heard of Hack Forum News, dont worry we have you covered. We are a team of members from the Hack Forums community who are journilists and writers, and we are here to keep you in the loop of the changes around the site and now even around the world.
Writer - [mention=121196]
Bulk Upgrade Deals (OMUP) By [mention=1]
[mention=1] is introducing a new opportunity for vendors to purchase upgrades in bulk at discounted rates, which can then be gifted as value-adds to their customers. This allows vendors to bundle premium benefits with their own products or services, enhancing their overall offering. A dedicated control panel will also be provided, giving vendors full control to manage and distribute these upgrades directly to buyers at their convenience.
Hack Forums News - Weekly Reports & Suggestions By [mention=2331053]
A quick reminder to all members: we do our best to catch as much Hack Forums news as possible, but we’re only human and can’t cover every single development. If you come across something you believe is noteworthy, we encourage you to post a submission in the official thread so it can be considered for inclusion.
Writer - [mention=121196]
Writer - [mention=2331053]
[mention=177676] Has obtained the "Green Apple" award -
[mention=137539] Has obtained the "King Decade" award -
[mention=5655318] Has obtained the "Lounge Head" award -
[mention=2370822] Has obtained the "Dicey" award -
[mention=4189082] Has obtained the "Quickly Loved" award -
[mention=355243] Has obtained the "King Decade" award -
[mention=82499] Has obtained the "King Decade" award -
[mention=5503276] Has obtained the "Flip Reaper" award -
[mention=1923973] Has obtained the "King Decade" award -
Writer - [mention=3929084]
GROUPS FOR SALE AND SOLD
Succubus group is still listed for sale by [mention=3604010] Benevolence are listed for sale by [mention=1342286]
A reliable insider has claimed that the highly-anticipated ROG Xbox Ally handheld consoles will launch in October 2025. While Microsoft and ASUS have yet to formally confirm these details, all signs point to a Gamescom 2025 reveal for the ROG Xbox Ally release date. Spoiler (Click to View)
ASUS could be teasing towards a new Xbox controller:
The first ASUS controller was released back in 2023, giving the company more than enough time to weigh customer response and adjust this new controller in whatever ways necessary. Through a YouTube Short on its official channel, ASUS has given a sneak peek at a new Xbox controller. The short video shows the general Xbox shape of the controller with a small sighting of paddle buttons on the back.
McDonald’s plans to crack down on Pokemon scalpers:
McDonald’s has recently announced new rules aimed at fighting scalpers for the next wave of its Pokemon-themed Happy Meals in Japan. Platforms such as eBay currently have offerings going as high as $1,000 for 50 sealed packages, and individual cards like the Pikachu reaching out for the burger costing between $20 and $40.
The State of Louisiana is suing Roblox:
The state of Louisiana has filed a lawsuit against Roblox for its failure to protect kids from predatory behavior. More than half of the player base, 56 percent, is aged 16 and below, yet there is no minimum age to play the game, no age verification, and no need for parental permissions. On August 14, Louisiana Attorney General Liz Murrill filed a “child protection” lawsuit against Roblox for “permitting and perpetuating an online environment in which child predators thrive.”
This has led to multiple documented instances of children being groomed and even abused as a result of their interactions with predators while playing. In July, a Des Moines, Iowa, family filed suit against Roblox after their 13-year-old daughter was abducted and assaulted by a stranger she met on the gaming platform. The girl had been playing Roblox since she was eight years old, which her parents allowed because they believed it was safe. But the “child” she was chatting with and later agreed to meet up with turned out to be a 37-year-old man named Martin Amaya Sandoval, who already had statutory assault charges pending against him in another state.
Rumor: EA wants Battlefield to become an annual release:
A new rumor has suggested that EA wants to turn Battlefield into an annual franchise in the vein of Call of Duty. Battlefield General Manager Byron Beede, saying, "their goal is three studios making Battlefield on a three-year basis. So they can get to Battlefield annually. He said it's going to take five or six years before they get two in a row, so we're not going to get there for a while."
Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 Leak reveals how many 6x6 maps there will be at launch:
There will be a lot of maps to play on for the upcoming BO7. Black Ops 7 will feature 16 6v6 maps at launch with three BO2 remakes.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles 2 (Multi-platform) (August 1)
Hello Kitty Island Adventure (PS5) (August 1)
Turbo Kid (Switch) (August 1)
Gradius Origins (PC, Switch) (August 7)
The House of the Dead 2: Remake (PC, Switch) (August 7)
Operation Night Strikers (PC) (August 7)
Ritual of Raven (TBD) (August 7)
Tiny Bookshop (PC, Switch) (August 7)
Mafia: The Old Country (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC) (August 8)
Echoes of the End (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S) (August 12)
Ra Ra BOOM (PC, Consoles) (August 12)
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II (PC, Xbox Series X|S) (August 12)
Dorfromantik (PC, Switch) (August 14)
Drag x Drive (TBD) (August 14)
Madden NFL 26 (Multi-platform) (August 14)
Midnight Murder Club (TBD) (August 14)
Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War Definitive Edition (PC) (August 14)
Bendy: Lone Wolf (TBD) (August 15)
OFF (PC) (August 15)
Delta Force (PC, Consoles) (August 19)
Sword of the Sea (PC, PS5) (August 19)
Black Myth: Wukong (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S) (August 20)
Discounty (PC, Consoles) (August 21)
Grit & Valor: 1949 (TBD) (August 21)
The Legend of Heroes trilogy (PS5, Switch, PC) (August 21)
Ariana: The Books... (TBD) (August 21)
Gears of War: Reloaded (Xbox Series X|S, PS5, PC) (August 26)
Helldivers 2 (PC, PS5) (August 26)
Neptunia Game Maker R: Evolution (Switch, PS5) (August 26)
Space Adventure Cobra (TBD) (August 26)
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar (Switch, Switch 2, PC) (August 27)
Destiny: Rising (TBD) (August 28)
Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Switch 2 Edition (Switch 2) (August 28)
The Knightling (TBD) (August 28)
Lens (TBD) (August 28)
NOROI KAGO (TBD) (August 28)
Super Robot Wars Y (TBD) (August 28)
Varlet (TBD) (August 28)
Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC) (August 28)
Lost Soul Aside (PC, PS5) (August 29)
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance (PC, Consoles) (August 29)
🏆 E-Sports
BLAST Bounty Season 2 - Counter-Strike 2 🏆 Team Spirit (August 17, 2025)
Pokémon World Championship 2025 VGC 🏆 Giovanni Cischke (August 17, 2025)
Pokémon World Championship 2025 TCG 🏆 Riley McKay (August 17, 2025)
Pokémon World Championship 2025 Pokémon UNITE 🏆 South American team PERÚ (August 17, 2025)
A new contest has been created this week by @W1NK1LL3RX@. They have recently been accepted into The Academy, and they feel like it's time for them to share the love by making a massive $100 BTC giveaway to one lucky winner. Let's make sure to spread the love, and thank them for the contest. The contest ends September 30th, 2025. Make sure you get yourself entered before it's too late.
If you are looking to get your hands on some free ETH, the user known as [mention=5670768] has the thread for you. They have recently started a contest for everyone on site, and you can get your hands on an entry right now. All you will need to do is head over to the thread and follow the three steps to enter, and you could get your hands on that $75 ETH on the 2nd of September. Good luck to everyone who enters!
Another contest is also giving away $50 worth of free crypto too. This member has recently just got themselves Ub3R on site and is celebrating becoming Ub3R by giving away to one lucky winner a $50 crypto. Once again, they have a few requirements for the contest, but everyone can easily enter this lovely contest and will get themselves an easy $50 to do whatever they want with it. Make sure you check this one out as it's worth checking it out!
Writer - [mention=5465469]
IBM and Google claim quantum breakthrough
IBM and Google say they are closing in on practical, large-scale quantum computers after major engineering milestones, with IBM outlining a roadmap for the rest of the decade and Google touting new error-correction advances. Both claim the tech could move from lab to limited commercial use sooner than expected, though others urge caution on timelines.
A new Australian Mobile Technology Association study predicts physical cash, plastic cards, and even passwords could disappear by 2030. Driven by advances in 6G connectivity, biometrics, and wearable tech, the shift would see payments handled via phones, smart rings, and glasses seamlessly integrated into homes, cars, and workplaces.
Fresh leaks for Google’s Pixel 10 series show marketing renders and confirm specs such as a 6.8″ Super Actua display, Tensor G5 chip, up to 16 GB RAM, and refined camera hardware. Alongside the phones, the Pixel Watch 4 is tipped to debut with new colors and a redesigned dock, while Meta teased new “Tiramisu” and “Boba 3” VR prototypes at SIGGRAPH 2025.
Shoppers in Australia rushed to take advantage of Afterpay Day 2025 deals running August 14–17. Discounts included Samsung Galaxy S25, iPhone 16, Dyson vacuums, TCL TVs, and more. Many offers required Afterpay, making it one of the biggest retail events before the holiday season.
IonQ sets sights on trillion-dollar quantum future
Quantum computing firm IonQ announced ambitious plans to become the “Nvidia of quantum,” raising $1 billion in funding and targeting a $1.1 billion merger with Oxford Ionics. CEO Niccolo de Masi says the company is positioning itself to dominate the quantum race within the next decade.
African e-commerce giant Jumia saw its stock price soar by 71% in the past month and 50% year-to-date. Analysts say the rally reflects renewed investor optimism, although the company’s fundamentals remain under scrutiny.
Vladimir Putin described his August 15 meeting with Donald Trump in Alaska as “useful and timely,” though no formal agreement was reached. Meanwhile, media reports suggest the U.S. may host a trilateral meeting involving Trump, Putin, and Zelenskyy before August 22 to address a broader peace settlement, amid concerns that Ukraine could face pressure to concede the Donbas region.
A rare cloudburst triggered flash floods in Buner, claiming hundreds of lives and leaving widespread devastation. Water, rocks and trees were swept down the mountainside after two days of intense monsoon rains, burying people and homes in their path.
Oscar Piastri, leading the 2025 F1 standings with 284 points, says it’s essentially a “two-horse race” with teammate Lando Norris, who trails closely on 275. With ten races to go, Piastri remains focused on a disciplined, race-by-race approach.
I am going to offer to Vendors the ability to buy in bulk at a discount upgrades they can gift to buyers. Example is you'll offer your product with free L33t 6 month subscription upgrade. You will have a control panel to do the upgrades yourself.
Currently going to only offer this for L33t Subscription (6 months).
Regular price is $18.
10+ $15 each
25+ $12 each
100+ $10 each
This can hopefully be a good value-add to your customers. You will have to prepay of course so that I can set your account for the amount paid. I suspect 25 is a decent deal to test this ($300 for 25).
Please note you can't use this to just resell without a product. It must be part of a bundle where they buy your product or service and get a free upgrade.
The Hack Forum News Team welcomes everyone back this week with another update on the weekly news to keep you up to date on the latest news on site and around the world. If you have never heard of Hack Forum News, dont worry we have you covered. We are a team of members from the Hack Forums community who are journilists and writers, and we are here to keep you in the loop of the changes around the site and now even around the world.
Writer - [mention=121196]
HF Roadmap By [mention=1]
As mentioned in previous editions, it’s time for a quick catch-up. Over the past weeks, [mention=1] has been steadily working his way through the HF roadmap, making consistent progress and gradually ticking projects off the list. Each completed milestone brings us closer to our broader goals, and it’s great to see the momentum building.
Hack Forums News - Weekly Reports & Suggestions By [mention=2331053]
A quick reminder to all members: we do our best to catch as much Hack Forums news as possible, but we’re only human and can’t cover every single development. If you come across something you believe is noteworthy, we encourage you to post a submission in the official thread so it can be considered for inclusion.
Writer - [mention=121196]
Writer - [mention=2331053]
Quick reminder, the donation awards page has had a bit of a change. Some of the classic awards are back up for purchase. If you would like to check out what is new, head over to the donation award page to snipe up some of the awards today. Or Click Here!
[mention=6] Has obtained the "Quickly Loved" award -
[mention=2370822] Has obtained the "Flip Reaper" award -
In this week's spec ops we have seen a massive jailbreak from a team known as Red Teams. They have found an exploit that allows them to completely break through the security measures in chat GPT-5.
Red teams from NeuralTrust and SPLX have dealt a major blow to GPT-5’s credibility as an enterprise tool, breaching its safeguards in under 24 hours through layered “storytelling” jailbreaks that bypassed safety filters and coerced the model into producing dangerous instructions. SecurityWeek reports that these findings expose significant vulnerabilities in GPT-5’s architecture, rendering it “nearly unusable for enterprise” without aggressive hardening and continuous monitoring. The incident underscores the growing tension between AI innovation and the operational realities of securing next-generation models against sophisticated adversarial prompts.
The 2025 cybersecurity landscape is equally volatile, with AI emerging as both a frontline defense and a weaponized threat. Governments in the U.K. and U.S. have announced major funding and guidance to secure critical infrastructure, even as budget cuts to CISA and military cyber units raise concerns about resilience against nation-state attacks. Meanwhile, ransomware gangs are targeting platforms like SharePoint with AI-enhanced tactics, tool sprawl is hampering SecOps efficiency, and firms like Bitdefender are launching advisory services to close security gaps. From Anthropic’s Claude dominating cyber competitions to Microsoft’s autonomous malware detection rollout, Spec Ops teams are adapting with AI-driven SIEM, zero-trust frameworks, and streamlined tooling to keep pace in an increasingly complex threat environment.
Remember if you have reached an achievement on your account feel free to post about it on our weekly reports thread. That way we can add you to the news for the next edition. Click Here To See The Weekly Reports Thread
[mention=5185438] Has gone on vacation until the (14.08.2025).
[mention=5404814] Has gone on vacation until the (08.09.2025).
No new console was officially released in the last week.
There were however rumored leaks particularly concerning a possible Xbox handheld and next-gen console codenames (PS6 Orion, Xbox Magnus), but these remain speculative.
Turtle Beach made a notable splash with the announcement of three new racing game peripherals for Xbox and PC. On Tuesday, August 5th, the company unveiled and opened pre-orders for the following products:
VelocityOne Race KD3:
A direct-drive force feedback racing wheel and pedal system designed for a more immersive and realistic racing experience.
VelocityOne F-RX:
A formula-style racing wheel, also for the VelocityOne Race ecosystem.
Turtle Beach Racer:
A wireless racing wheel aimed at more casual racing game fans.
Notable News (August 2025)
Battlefield 6 Open Beta sets a franchise record:
Battlefield 6 has the biggest Open Beta of any Battlefield game. Battlefield 6 peaked at 473,632 concurrent players. This positions it as the fourth most-played game on Steam right now, only behind Counter-Strike 2, Dota 2, and PUBG: Battlegrounds, and ahead of EA's own Apex Legends.
Battlefield 6 players need to uninstall Valorant due to conflicting Anti-Cheat Software:
PC players participating in the open beta for Battlefield 6 are being told to uninstall Valorant, as the games have conflicting anti-cheat software. While the EA title is already finding incredible success ahead of its full launch in October, many Battlefield 6 players are frustrated by this requirement, with some even deciding to purchase the game for console instead.
Gamers are upset that the BF6 menu is strikingly similar to Call Of Duty. Players all around the world want the old vertical menus back, but as the gaming industry advances so do corporate trends. It might not affect a title's gameplay, but a sleek and user-friendly menu interface is something gamers are extremely passionate about.
Gamers hoping to get a Switch 2 for the holidays may be in luck:
Since its June 5 launch, the Switch 2 has become the fastest-selling console in Nintendo's company history, with over six million units sold as of July 24. Nintendo is ramping up Switch 2 production ahead of the holidays. Due to the Trump administration's tariffs on goods from various countries, Nintendo has increased the price of the original Switch family of consoles and accessories in the US, with the Switch Lite now starting at $229 instead of $199.
Demon Slayer: Kimetsu no Yaiba – The Hinokami Chronicles 2 (Multi-platform) (August 1)
Hello Kitty Island Adventure (PS5) (August 1)
Turbo Kid (Switch) (August 1)
Gradius Origins (PC, Switch) (August 7)
The House of the Dead 2: Remake (PC, Switch) (August 7)
Operation Night Strikers (PC) (August 7)
Ritual of Raven (TBD) (August 7)
Tiny Bookshop (PC, Switch) (August 7)
Mafia: The Old Country (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC) (August 8)
Echoes of the End (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S) (August 12)
Ra Ra BOOM (PC, Consoles) (August 12)
Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II (PC, Xbox Series X|S) (August 12)
Dorfromantik (PC, Switch) (August 14)
Drag x Drive (TBD) (August 14)
Madden NFL 26 (Multi-platform) (August 14)
Midnight Murder Club (TBD) (August 14)
Warhammer 40K: Dawn of War Definitive Edition (PC) (August 14)
Bendy: Lone Wolf (TBD) (August 15)
OFF (PC) (August 15)
Delta Force (PC, Consoles) (August 19)
Sword of the Sea (PC, PS5) (August 19)
Black Myth: Wukong (PC, PS5, Xbox Series X|S) (August 20)
Discounty (PC, Consoles) (August 21)
Grit & Valor: 1949 (TBD) (August 21)
The Legend of Heroes trilogy (PS5, Switch, PC) (August 21)
Ariana: The Books... (TBD) (August 21)
Gears of War: Reloaded (Xbox Series X|S, PS5, PC) (August 26)
Helldivers 2 (PC, PS5) (August 26)
Neptunia Game Maker R: Evolution (Switch, PS5) (August 26)
Space Adventure Cobra (TBD) (August 26)
Story of Seasons: Grand Bazaar (Switch, Switch 2, PC) (August 27)
Destiny: Rising (TBD) (August 28)
Kirby and the Forgotten Land – Switch 2 Edition (Switch 2) (August 28)
The Knightling (TBD) (August 28)
Lens (TBD) (August 28)
NOROI KAGO (TBD) (August 28)
Super Robot Wars Y (TBD) (August 28)
Varlet (TBD) (August 28)
Metal Gear Solid Δ: Snake Eater (PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC) (August 28)
Lost Soul Aside (PC, PS5) (August 29)
Shinobi: Art of Vengeance (PC, Consoles) (August 29)
🏆 E-Sports
Esports World Cup – Call of Duty: Warzone: 🏆 Twisted Minds (August 10, 2025)
Esports World Cup – Rainbow Six: Siege X: 🏆 Team Secret (August 9–10, 2025)
Esports World Cup – Chess: 🏆Magnus Carlsen of Team Liquid emerged as the first-ever Esports World Cup chess champion (July 29 to August 1, 2025)
Marvel Rivals IGNITE Season 3.0 Mid-Season Finals: 🏆RAD Esports (this past weekend)
A new contest has been created this week by @W1NK1LL3RX. They have recently been accepted into The Academy, and they feel like it's time for them to share the love by making a massive $100 BTC giveaway to one lucky winner. Let's make sure to spread the love, and thank them for the contest. The contest ends September 30th, 2025. Make sure you get yourself entered before it's too late.
If you are looking to get your hands on some free crypto, the user known as Sigma Boss has the thread for you. They have recently started a contest for everyone on site, and you can get your hands on an entry right now. All you will need to do is head over to the thread and follow the three steps to enter, and you could get your hands on that $25 crypto on the 15th of August. Good luck!
Another contest is also giving away $50 worth of free crypto too. This member has recently just got themselves Ub3R on site and is celebrating becoming Ub3R by giving away to one lucky winner a $50 crypto. Once again, they have a few requirements for the contest, but everyone can easily enter this lovely contest and will get themselves an easy $50 to do whatever they want with it. Make sure you check this one out as it's worth checking it out!
Writer - [mention=2331053]
Google Pixel 10 series leaks
The much-anticipated Google Pixel 10 lineup—including Pixel 10, Pixel 10 Pro, Pro Fold, and Pro XL has surfaced in leaked images and spec details, hinting at features like a 6.8″ Super Actua display, 16 GB RAM, Tensor G5 chip, and improved cameras. Alongside this, the Pixel Watch 4 is rumored to bring new color options and a redesigned charging dock that resembles a mini-clock. Samsung may soon launch the Galaxy S25 FE in Korea (and then globally), likely priced under $720. Meta also unveiled two new VR prototypes, "Tiramisu" and "Boba 3," at SIGGRAPH 2025, showcasing significant gains in visual fidelity and field of view.
Nasdaq hits record high, fueled by AI optimism and GPT‑5 launch
Tech stocks are rallying, driven by strong earnings and high hopes for Federal Reserve rate cuts. OpenAI’s release of GPT‑5 has added to the bullish sentiment.
Google is rolling out the August 2025 Pixel update (build BP2A.250805.005), patching a serious security vulnerability that allowed unauthorized access without user interaction, and resolving related navigation system issues. It’s being deployed to Pixel 6 through Pixel 9 series, including Pixel Tablet and Fold.
Israeli airstrike kills prominent Al Jazeera journalists
Anas al‑Sharif and four colleagues working near Shifa Hospital in Gaza were killed in an Israeli strike. Israel claims al‑Sharif was associated with Hamas—a charge strongly rejected by Al Jazeera and press freedom advocates. His death draws renewed attention to the peril media personnel face in conflict zones.
The U.S. is coordinating with European leaders ahead of an Alaska summit between Donald Trump and Vladimir Putin. EU policymakers warn that Ukraine must be included in any peace discussions.
In a stern declaration at a Florida event, Pakistani Army Chief Asim Munir issued a dire warning: “We’ll take half the world down with us,” evoking fears of nuclear retaliation.
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