Games

Pokemon Hacker Facing Jail Time for Selling Modified Game Files

A hacker in Japan is in legal trouble for selling altered Pokemon save files and could potentially spend five years behind bars.
Pokemon Hacker Facing Jail Time for Selling Modified Game Files

Highlights

  • Selling altered Pokemon files in Japan can result in severe penalties, including hefty fines and imprisonment, as evidenced by a recent arrest.
  • The dangers of dealing in hacked game content outweigh any benefits, with legal consequences and incarceration being significant risks.
  • While the allure of purchasing modified Pokemon for an edge in gameplay exists, it is advisable to steer clear of such activities to avoid legal entanglements.

An individual in Japan has been apprehended for modifying and vending Pokemon within the game Pokemon Scarlet and Violet and could potentially face a five-year jail term. The arrest forms part of a broader crackdown on the alteration of game data in the country.

Modified Pokemon can pose significant issues in games like Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Altered Pokemon, featuring different colors, statistics, and abilities, are at times available for purchase online, granting players unfair advantages over those who engage in conventional breeding practices or spend considerable time searching for rare Pokemon. While such modifications are typically viewed as a nuisance and a potential concern for competitions in the western hemisphere, the act of modifying and selling Pokemon in Japan can lead to substantial fines and imprisonment, as exemplified by a 36-year-old individual facing legal repercussions.

On April 9, Yoshihiro Yamakawa was detained for altering and vending modified Pokemon game saves. Police reports, as relayed by NHK and translated by Automaton, indicate that the individual was selling modified Pokemon online for prices ranging from $30 to $90 USD between December 2022 and March 2023, contravening Japan's Unfair Competition Prevention Act. Yamakawa purportedly admitted to the offense, citing financial motives.

The investigation remains ongoing, with authorities delving into the extent of Pokemon sales and their respective values. It is believed that the sales could amount to millions of yen or thousands of US dollars. While the final outcome of the Pokemon infringement remains pending, potential penalties for the offense encompass a 5 million yen ($33,000 USD) fine and a five-year prison sentence.

The Perils of Dealing in Altered Game Content in Japan and Beyond

The recent incident involving a Japanese individual selling hacked game content and modified Pokemon may come as a surprise to some enthusiasts. However, similar occurrences have been documented in the past, indicating the risks associated with such activities. In 2021, during the release of Pokemon Sword and Shield, a 23-year-old was arrested in Japan for vending hacked Pokemon related to that title.

Generally, the practice of modifying game content and disseminating it online is ill-advised. Nintendo, in particular, has been proactive in pursuing legal actions against individuals hosting unauthorized copies of its games, resulting in some facing incarceration. Despite the tedium of traditional gameplay in Pokemon, engaging in the purchase or sale of altered game files is not a risk worth taking.

Tags:
Share:
Recent News