Japanese Man Arrested for Illegally Modifying Nintendo Switch Game Save Data
Local authorities in Japan have apprehended a 36-year-old man, Yoshihiro Yamakawa, for his involvement in illegally tampering with save data for popular Nintendo Switch games, namely Pokémon Scarlet and Violet. Yamakawa’s unlawful activities were aimed at creating and selling customized characters on an online gaming marketplace. His actions violate a Japanese law known as the Unfair Competition Prevention Act.
Caught Red-Handed by Cyber Patrol
Following an investigation, Yamakawa was apprehended on April 9th by cyber patrol officers, who found evidence of his involvement in selling the altered characters online. Reports suggest Yamakawa utilized an online tool to modify the game’s save data, illegally manipulating the characters’ attributes to enhance their desirability. By advertising hard-to-train and rare monsters, such as the offer of “6 Pokémon for only $30,” Yamakawa catered to a demand for unique and powerful characters on the online platform.
A Growing Menace
This incident highlights an ongoing issue surrounding the Pokémon gaming community. Pokémon Scarlet and Violet have grabbed the attention of players with their new and exciting monsters, enticing them into battles and collection quests. However, the allure of rare Pokémon has reached a point where some players resort to buying them on the black market. In 2021, a similar incident occurred, leading to another arrest under the same law for illegally modifying save data on Pokémon Sword and Shield.
A Profitable Endeavor
According to authorities, Yamakawa allegedly sold his custom monsters for prices reaching 13,000 yen each, which is approximately $85. Although he admitted to the charges, claiming he did it for a living, investigations are still ongoing. Police suspect Yamakawa’s illicit activities may have garnered him profits in the millions of yen range, which equates to tens to hundreds of thousands of dollars.
As the investigation unfolds, the local authorities are determined to combat the rampant cheating and illegal alterations within the Pokémon gaming community. The severe consequences associated with such violations aim to deter future offenders and preserve the fairness and integrity of the games.
