Game Freak Cyberattack Leaks Pokémon Franchise Secrets, Future Game Titles

• The cyberattack that hit Game Freak resulted in exposed private company information that included future Pokemon game names.
• Source code, unreleased game information, and employees' personal details were also illegally accessed by a third party.
• Game art also made its well to social media after the leak, including unused Pokémon pixel art and beta designs from various generations.

Game Freak, the esteemed developer behind the globally celebrated Pokémon franchise, has fallen victim to a cyberattack, resulting in the unauthorized disclosure of sensitive internal data. This breach has led to the exposure of source code, unreleased game information, and employees' personal details.

The cyberattack acknowledged by Game Freak on October 13, 2024, appears to have commenced in August 2024, allowing a third-party actor access to Game Freak’s servers. The breach has compromised the personal data of 2,606 individuals, affecting both current and former employees, predominantly including names and company email addresses. 

In an official statement, Game Freak apologized to those affected, emphasizing its commitment to resolving the situation. The company is actively contacting impacted individuals to address concerns and provide necessary support.

Significantly, the cyberattack on Game Freak has led to the leakage of substantial internal assets, including source code for various Pokémon titles and insights into future projects. Among the leaked data, the codename for the anticipated tenth generation of Pokémon, internally referred to as “Gaia,” has been unveiled. 

Additionally, it is reported that the upcoming Pokémon game is undergoing testing for the successor to the Nintendo Switch, hinting at the company’s forward-looking development strategies.

According to insider reports, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, the forthcoming title set in Lumiose City, is already complete and scheduled for release on Nintendo Switch systems in 2025. Initially announced in February 2024, this game reflects Game Freak’s continued dedication to expanding the Pokémon universe.

The breach has also brought to light unused Pokémon pixel art and beta designs from various generations, which have begun circulating on social media platforms. These leaks not only threaten Game Freak’s future releases but also offer fans an unexpected glimpse into the creative processes behind beloved games.

Further compounding the leak’s impact, evidence suggests a potential collaboration with another developer on a new Pokémon title, underscoring the extensive nature of the information exposed. At the time of writing, the organization has yet to provide further statements or responses. 

In other recent news, Nintendo drove the Ryujinx Switch emulator project to shut down, as all assets related to this emulator were removed from GitHub following legal pressure from the video game company.