Key insights
- The hacker behind the huge Game Freak leak claims to have a playable version of Pokemon Legends: ZA.
- However, they won't be releasing it to the public and are done sharing details about the upcoming release.
The person behind the huge Game Freak hack – about which information is still spilling out – claims to have a playable version of the upcoming Pokémon Legends: ZA.
They claim to have played through an internal PC build from start to finish, but have no plans to share the game online.
Game Freak's statement on the leaks said the hacker had gained “unauthorized access to.” [its] Servers” back in August, so they certainly had time to play through Legends: ZA.
After playing the game, they revealed that Stunfisk is making an appearance, the shiny sound of Legends: Arceus is back, and it's “really fun” despite the delay. But that's all they're willing to share for now, and that's probably for the best.
GTA 6, Wolverine and Half-Life 2: Leaks of this magnitude are not a good idea
Hacking into a company like Game Freak and incurring the wrath of Nintendo is one thing, but leaking builds of an upcoming game? Gary Bowser served 14 months of a 40-month sentence and now owes Nintendo $14 million for the crime of piracy. Imagine if Bowser had leaked an upcoming blockbuster in a franchise as big as Pokemon.
There have been a surprising number of leaks about historical games in the last two years, such as GTA 6. Early footage of a playable build was shared online, earning the hacker an indefinite stay in hospital prison until he “no longer poses a threat.”
Related
What's next for Nintendo after the Pokémon leaks?
Nintendo has resorted to legal remedies in cases like this before, and Pokemon feels like its biggest leak yet.
In late 2023, the Rhysida ransomware group hacked into Insomniac and posted over a terabyte of data online, including a playable PC version of Wolverine. It hasn't been revealed yet, but given the extent of the leak and similar condemnations in the past, they'll get far more than a slap on the wrist when it comes out. Still, the turmoil continues, as Rhysida was blamed for an attack on Seattle Airport just last month (as reported by PC Mag).
And of course, one of the most infamous cases in gaming history is the Half-Life 2 beta leak. German programmer Axel Gembe hacked into Valve's network in 2002 and discovered a goldmine of information in development. Half-Life 2 was later leaked online along with the Source Engine's source code, but there was “no evidence that Gembe was responsible” (as reported by Ars Tcehnica). Regardless, after turning himself in in hopes of getting a job at Valve, Gembe was arrested and later sentenced to two years probation for “causing damage in excess of $250 million.”
Pokemon Legends: ZA is an ambitious new entry to the Pokemon video game series, releasing simultaneously worldwide in 2025. A new adventure awaits you in Lumiose City, where an urban redevelopment plan is underway to make the city a place that belongs to both humans and Pokémon.
