Pokemon Sun Hacked Save Seller Arrested

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Key Takeaways

  • Selling hacked Pokemon Sun saves led to arrest in Japan for unlawful game modification.
  • Some game developers encourage modding, while others strictly prohibit any alterations.
  • Earnings from selling modified game data are not worth the potential legal consequences.

As a seasoned gamer with decades of experience under my belt, I must say that the arrest of this 32-year-old hacker selling modified Pokemon Sun saves serves as a stark reminder about the legal and ethical implications of game modification.

A person selling Pokemon Sun hacked saves has been arrested by the police in Japan. The move may surprise some fans of the series, but Pokemon Sun is far from the first game that’s been hacked, and it’s not even the first to have arrests connected to illegally modifying the games, either.

Modifying game data is almost as old as the gaming industry itself, with developers and publishers taking differing stances on the practice. Some companies like Bethesda actively encourage fans to customize their games, while others maintain a stricter policy and prefer no alterations to their games except those officially sanctioned. However, issues arise when people attempt to sell modified game data, making it a tricky area.

In Japan, a 32-year-old individual has been apprehended for peddling altered versions of Pokemon Sun for the 3DS system. According to reports from TBS News, relayed by Automaton-Media, this vendor advertised save data for the game online, boasting an inventory exceeding 800 different Pokemon. The authorities became suspicious when they discovered that rare, event-exclusive Pokemon were being offered in these listings, as such creatures could only be obtained by personally attending events. Upon tracing the seller’s activities, it was confirmed with Nintendo that the ROMs (digital copies of the game) had been manipulated.

What’s Next for the Alleged Poke-Criminal?

The individual suspected of hacking Pokemon Sun may face penalties under Japan’s Unfair Competition Prevention Act, which could result in a maximum five-year prison term and a fine of up to $33,000 USD. Although this might seem unexpected in the western world, vendors who modify Pokemon game saves have faced arrest before, with similar potential consequences. A similar incident occurred earlier in 2024 when a seller of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet save files was taken into custody.

Currently, it seems like a straightforward case, given the suspect has supposedly confessed to the crime. However, police are still delving into further allegations, which could potentially extend their stay in prison or increase the severity of penalties they’ll face once everything is concluded. Although we can’t be certain if any transactions were made, it’s said that the anonymous offender was dealing with modified saves for the game Pokemon Sun, priced at $35 USD each. It goes without saying that any income derived from these sales would hardly compensate for the time and resources this individual is now likely to forfeit while serving their sentence in prison.

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2024-12-11 04:03