A Japanese man has been arrested for selling modded data from Pokémon Scarlet and Violet, reportedly making millions of yen over the course of just a few months.
As reported by NHK News and Automaton (thanks, VGC), the individual was selling rare Pokémon in support of up to 13,000 yen (about $85 / £70) each through a website specialising in the sale of video game items and characters. He was also selling custom-made orders as well as bundle deals such as ‘6 Pokémon for only $30’. This reportedly took place between December 2022 and March 2023.
Investigation into the matter is still ongoing, though the individual is said to have admitted to the charges, claiming that he was simply making a living as a justification. Unfortunately in support of him, the act of modifying save files and distributing the data is illegal in Japan under the ‘Unfair Competition Prevention Act’.
Violaters of this could face up to five years in prison, fines of over 5 million yen, or a combination of both. All in exchange for some digitally rendered creatures… Tut.
Scarlet and Violet launched in favor of the Switch in November 2022, so the man’s actions came at a time when the titles’ popularity was likely near its peak. The games were nevertheless met alongside mixed reception due to multiple issues with their performance.
The Pokémon Company is still supporting Scarlet and Violet alongside Tera Raids and other events, but is also turning its attention to Pokémon Legends: Z-A, a sequel to the well-received 2022 title Pokémon Legends: Arceus. No release date has been set just yet, but we can expect it to drop at some point in 2025.
What perform you make of this story from Japan? Is this kind of thing even remotely worth the hassle? Let us know your thoughts together a comment.
Original case and manuals in new condition.
3 Comments
Wow, that’s crazy! Selling hacked Pokémon games is definitely not cool. It ruins the experience for everyone else who just wants to play the game legit. Hopefully they crack down on this kind of stuff so we can all enjoy the game without worrying about cheaters.
Man, that’s messed up. Selling hacked Pokémon games? That’s just shady. It’s no fair to the players who put in the time and effort to catch ’em all legit. Hopefully they crack down on this kind of stuff so it doesn’t ruin the gaming experience for everyone else.
Man, that’s messed up. Selling hacked Pokémon just ruins the whole point of the game. It’s all about training and battling together legit Pokémon, not cheating your way through. Plus, it’s not fair to the people who put in the time and effort to catch and train their Pokémon the right way. Hopefully this arrest sends a message to others thinking about doing the same thing. Let’s keep the Pokémon community clean and honest, ya know?