Pokemon Developer Game Freak Issues Statement on Data Hack

Pokemon Developer Game Freak Issues Statement on Data Hack

As a long-time fan of Game Freak and the Pokémon franchise, I can’t help but feel a pang of disappointment and concern upon hearing about this latest data breach. It seems like no company is immune to these cyber attacks, and it’s always disheartening when our beloved creators become targets.


It appears that the reports from yesterday concerning Game Freak being hacked are accurate, as the company has now admitted to a data leak and confirmed it was a server breach in a recent letter sent to its gaming community.

On their official site, the company acknowledges a data breach involving personnel details (including both present and past employees). The total number of impacted records is given as 2,606. Furthermore, they offer advice on how to avoid similar incidents in the future.

What Did Game Freak Have to Say About the Hack?

Here’s the complete statement (translated via Google):

In August 2024, our company, GAME FREAK Inc., headquartered in Tokyo, discovered that an unauthorized third party gained access to our servers, potentially leaking personal information of our employees and others. We deeply regret the trouble and worry this incident has caused everyone affected.

  1. Leaked personal information

Information about our staff members, temp workers (encompassing past and previous staff), and their details: Names, work emails, number of records: 2,606.

  1. To those whose personal details have been compromised, we are reaching out to each of you personally. If it’s not possible to get in touch with some individuals due to their departure from the company or other reasons, we will make an announcement about this issue and provide a dedicated point of contact for any queries related to the matter.

  1. Measures to prevent recurrence

We have already rebuilt and re-inspected the server, and will strive to prevent recurrence by further strengthening our security measures.

  1. Inquiries regarding this matter

If you are a subject of this matter, please contact the following office for inquiries:

[Inquiry Form]

Among the breached data, beyond personal information, it’s claimed to encompass certain Pokemon game source codes as well as files for an unfinished game within the series that goes by the code name “Synapse.

It’s not unusual for game studios like Game Freak to experience cyberattacks; high-profile incidents such as the 2022 GTA VI hack and the ransomware breach at Insomniac Games (which led to leaked information online after Sony declined to comply with the hackers’ demands) are recent examples of this trend.

It seems likely that Game Freak might experience another data breach incident, with leaked information continuing to surface due to dataminers currently sifting through the data. As soon as any significant details emerge, we will promptly inform our readers.

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2024-10-13 22:38