POKEMON developer Game Freak has confirmed it was hacked, resulting in the leaked details of 2500 employees.
The breach, which occurred in August, has allegedly been linked to codenames for 10th generation Pokémon games and details about the much-anticipated Nintendo Switch 2 console being leaked too.
In the statement, Game Freak apologised to those affected by the breach and stated that it has patched the vulnerability which allowed it to happen.
The codename of the unannounced 10th generation Pokémon game is reportedly “Gaia”.
While the codename of the announced Pokemon Legends: Z-A is apparently “Ikkaku”.
Jake Moore, Global Cybersecurity Advisor at ESET called the incident “one of the biggest hacks in gaming history”.
“There will be many people wanting to get their hands on this data making the aftermath that much more impactful and damaging,” he added.
“As the creators are behind Pokémon, one of the world’s best known brands, this data is likely to be accessed far and wide and could even become a cult entity of its own.
“The clean up operation is already two months behind due to only having located the breach now so it will be vital that Game Freak understand as much about the attack as possible and work with those whose data has been affected.”
Nintendo has remained tight-lipped on the leak, with the company only confirming the existence of the Switch 2 in May this year.
The Switch first hit shelves in 2017, and won the hearts of gaming fans across the globe – particularly during the pandemic.
Though sales have been firmly on the decline since 2021.
Nintendo president Shuntaro Furukawa tweeted that the Switch’s successor, known by players as the Switch 2, is in development, and that more would be revealed before April 2025.
But the Game Freak leak has supposedly revealed the code name for Nintendo’s new console: “Ounce.”
The revelation supports earlier claims from popular leakers like Pyoro and Necrolipe.
One leaked phrase has also got fans thinking the Switch 2 could be released sometime in 2025 – a year pinpointed by president Shuntaro.
Pokémon Legends: Z-A has a vague 2025 release window, with Nintendo saying it’s coming to “Nintendo Switch systems.”
The plural “systems” has fans believing the game will be coming to both the Switch and Switch 2 – though Nintendo has not confirmed any details relating to the leak.
The Sun has contacted Nintendo for comment.
Last month, alleged prototype images of the Switch successor emerged online.
While these images could be fakes to stir up excitement over the upcoming gadget, they suggest some interesting new details.
The pictures, uploaded online by an anonymous source, show a console that looks surprisingly similar to existing Switch models.
But one subtle different is that there is a USB-C charging port on both the top and bottom of the console.
This would allow for the system to be docked using the port at the bottom of the console, but the port at the top would allow for easier charging when in handheld mode.
The Switch 2 may also boast an 8-inch screen, pictures suggest, which is noticeably larger than the existing Switch’s 7-inch screen.
The console could use the long-rumoured magnetic Joy-Con.
This would allow the removal and attachment of the controllers to be much easier and smoother.
Nintendo has not commented on the images, and is unlikely to.
