Pokémon developer Game Freak targeted in massive data breach, company confirms

by Danny Craig  · 
Pokémon developer Game Freak targeted in massive data breach, company confirms
Nintendo

Game Freak, the main developer of the Pokémon games, has confirmed that it was recently targeted by hackers, resulting in employee information and project-related documents to be leaked online.

The details:

  • The company confirmed the data breach in a statement released on Sunday, stating that a "third party" stole the full names and contact information of over 2,500 current, former, and contract employees in August. According to Game Freak, the breach exposed names, addresses, email addresses, and phone numbers, and the company is now strengthening security measures and contacting those affected.

  • However, the data leaked extends beyond employee information, with content from the company's and its partners' projects reportedly making its way online. This includes source code for Pokémon HeartGold and SoulSilver, what is thought to be the codename for the Switch 2, "Ounce," and details regarding unannounced titles such as a "Splatoon-like" multiplayer game developed alongside ILCA.

  • Documents detailing a "trilogy live-action movie series" were also revealed, with the series featuring Detective Pikachu, a sequel titled The Great Detective Pikachu, and a third film "Game Boy" that would "dig deep into the theme of Pokémon's boundless potential, creating a story that highlights the importance of bonds, whether between friends or between Pokémon themselves." According to the document, The Great Detective Pikachu was slated to be released in 2024, but it's unclear whether it's been internally delayed or canceled.

  • Fans have begun to preserve some of the game-related content discovered in the leak, such as unused Pokémon sprites from various betas, original PSD files for game logos, concept art including monster designs that never made it to release, and much more.

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