Nintendo is on the warpath after last year’s massive leak of Pokémon game data, dubbed the “Teraleak”.
Lawyers for the Mario maker have now filed a request to subpoena Discord, where materials from the Teraleak spread in October 2024, for information on the alleged culprit.
Nintendo wants the US District Court for the Northern District of California to force Discord to reveal user GameFreakOUT’s name and personal details, according to documentation obtained by Polygon.
Posts by this user shared vast amounts of data from GameFreak’s own servers, shedding light on previously-unseen development details, beta versions of past Pokémon games, and details of various unannounced or cancelled projects.
In its legal request, Nintendo says GameFreakOUT was responsible for posting “confidential materials not released to the public”, which were then devoured by Pokémon fans far and wide.
It’s unclear, however, if GameFreakOUT is the person responsible for hacking Game Freak and obtaining the data in the first place.
Days before the Teraleak spread, the Pokémon developer quietly acknowleged that “unauthorised access” to its servers had been obtained “by a third party” and that employee information was at risk. Game Freak said it had since secured the server and is strengthening its security measures.
Back in 2023, Nintendo sought a similar subpoena to obtain details of a user who leaked information from a then-published Legend of Zelda: Tears of the Kingdom art book.
And in 2021, two Pokémon fans found themselves in hot water after leaking details of Pokémon Sword and Shield via images taken from a strategy guide. The Pokémon Company’s lawyers pounced, and ultimately settled for an eye-watering fine of $300k.
Should Discord divulge GameFreakOUT’s details, it seems likely Nintendo will want to move forward with similar legal action.
