Pokémon Developer Game Freak Reportedly Hacked, Stolen Data on Unannounced Games as Well as Nintendo Switch 2 Codename Leaked Online

UPDATE: Game Freak has issued a statement confirming the company suffered a data breach in August 2024.

The company said its server was illegally accessed, with 2,606 cases of current, former, and contract employee names and email addresses accessed. The Japanese language statement carries a date of October 10, 2024, and does not mention the Pokémon data that has emerged since.

In the statement, Game Freak apologized to all those affected by the data breach and insisted the vulnerability at the heart of the hack was since rebuilt.

ORIGINAL STORY: Pokémon developer Game Freak has reportedly suffered a significant hack resulting in the leak of stolen data that includes codenames for 10th generation Pokémon games and even the Nintendo Switch 2.

As reported by Nintendo Life, data leaked includes the codename of Nintendo’s next-gen console (reportedly “Ounce”), the codename of the unannounced 10th generation Pokémon game (reportedly “Gaia”), and the codename of the announced Pokemon Legends: Z-A (“Ikkaku”).

Neither Nintendo nor The Pokémon Company have issued a statement on the leaks. IGN has asked both for a comment. (UPDATE: The Pokémon Company has now issued a statement, above.)

What generation of Pokemon had the best starter monsters?

Gen 1: Bulbasaur, Charmander, Squirtle

Gen 2: Chikorita, Cyndaquil, Totodile

Gen 3: Treecko, Torchic, Mudkip

Gen 4: Turtwig, Chimchar, Piplup

Gen 5: Snivy, Tepig, Oshawott

Gen 6: Chespin, Fennekin, Froakie

Gen 7: Rowlet, Litten, Popplio

Gen 8: Grookey, Scorbunny, Sobble

Gen 9: Sprigatito, Fuecoco, Quaxly

Are you kidding? I choose Pikachu!

The codenames for two versions of the 10th generation Pokémon game are part of the leak (“K” and “N”), which may relate to Nintendo’s intention to release it for both the Switch and its successor as a cross-gen title. According to Nintendo Life, “Ounce” is mentioned as the target platform.

A Pokémon game codenamed “Synapse” is also reportedly mentioned. This unannounced game is said to be co-developed with another studio, with some reports indicating it is some sort of Pokémon MMO.

Elsewhere, source code for DS titles Pokémon HeartGold, SoulSilver, Black 2, and White 2 have reportedly leaked, resulting in stolen unused assets for Pokémon and even game music emerging online.

Outside of the games themselves, there is plot information relating to an unreleased sequel to 2019’s Detective Pikachu movie, supposedly called The Great Detective Pikachu. This movie was reportedly directed by Jordan Vogt-Roberts (The Kings of Summer, Kong: Skull Island) and planned for release in 2024, so it’s unclear what happened to it. Indeed, there is evidence to suggest a trilogy of live-action Pokémon movies was at one time considered, with the third apparently revolving around the Game Boy.

The data also includes everything from emailed meeting summaries to Pokémon lore information, with a mention of a so-far unnanounced Pokémon live action show from Netflix.

This Pokémon leak rekindles memories of the infamous Nintendo ‘gigaleak’ of 2020, which revealed previously unknown canceled games, prototypes, source code, development tools, and internal communication as part of what was at the time the largest leak of internal video game information ever released.

Nintendo has yet to reveal its next-gen console, dubbed Switch 2 by the community ahead of an official announcement. Last month, alleged prototype images of the Switch successor emerged online. Nintendo has yet to comment on the images.

What we do have are developers saying they plan to release their upcoming games on the Switch 2. When Switch 2 does eventually come out, Nintendo expects to have plenty of stock available, which in turn will hopefully combat scalping.

As for Pokémon, Pokémon Legends: Z-A has a vague 2025 release window, with Nintendo saying it’s coming to “Nintendo Switch systems.” That phrase sparked speculation that Pokémon Legends: Z-A is also coming to Switch 2.

Fans are set for one of the longest breaks between major Pokémon releases in the franchise’s history. With no mainline entries releasing this year, nor any news of a remake, the Pokémon Trading Card Game on mobile will be the biggest series release in 2024.

Wesley is the UK News Editor for IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at [email protected] or confidentially at [email protected].