**Pokémon Developer Faces Major Data Leak**
Game Freak said the leak came from a third-party intrusion. Hackers released a collection of leaked data from Pokémon game developer Game Freak over the weekend. This included personal information about employees. Game Freak, which develops the main lineup of Pokémon video games, confirmed the breach in a statement. They said (per a machine translation from Japanese) that it was the result of “unauthorized access to our servers by a third party” and dated back to August of 2024.
Game Freak said the leaked personal information, which it characterizes as names and company email addresses, included around 2,600 items. However, the breach appears to include much more than employee information. Redditors and others say they’ve unearthed source code from previous games as well as unused Pokémon designs. They also allegedly found more limited details about future projects, including some codenames for upcoming games.
There are no apparent reports of direct leaks from the other companies involved in Pokémon as part of this breach. This includes Nintendo, Creatures Inc., and the jointly owned Pokémon Company.
Game Freak’s statement, dated October 10 but, according to Polygon, appeared on the 13th, says the server has since been secured. The company is taking steps to bolster its security measures. Here’s the full machine translation:
**October 10, 2024**
**Game Freak Inc.**
**Notice and Apology Regarding the Leak of Personal Information Due to Unauthorized Access**
Game Freak Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Satoshi Tajiri) has discovered that the personal information of our employees and others was leaked. This occurred due to unauthorized access to our server by a third party in August 2024.
We sincerely apologize for the great inconvenience and concern caused to all concerned parties.
1. **Leaked Personal Information**
Personal data regarding our employees, etc.
- Items: Name, company email address
- Number of cases: 2,606
*Our employees, contracted business workers (including G-appointed employees and former employees)*
2. **Response to Those Whose Personal Information Has Been Confirmed to Have Been Leaked**
We are contacting the relevant employees individually.
For those who cannot be contacted individually due to resignation, etc., we will notify them through this announcement and set up a hotline to handle inquiries regarding this matter.
3. **Measures to Prevent Recurrence**
We have already rebuilt and re-inspected our servers. However, we will work to prevent recurrence by further strengthening our security measures.
4. **Inquiries Regarding This Matter**
Inquiries from those affected by this matter can be made through the hotline below.
Game Freak said the leaked personal information, which it characterizes as names and company email addresses, included around 2,600 items. However, the breach appears to include much more than employee information. Redditors and others say they’ve unearthed source code from previous games as well as unused Pokémon designs. They also allegedly found more limited details about future projects, including some codenames for upcoming games.
There are no apparent reports of direct leaks from the other companies involved in Pokémon as part of this breach. This includes Nintendo, Creatures Inc., and the jointly owned Pokémon Company.
Game Freak’s statement, dated October 10 but, according to Polygon, appeared on the 13th, says the server has since been secured. The company is taking steps to bolster its security measures. Here’s the full machine translation:
**October 10, 2024**
**Game Freak Inc.**
**Notice and Apology Regarding the Leak of Personal Information Due to Unauthorized Access**
Game Freak Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo, CEO: Satoshi Tajiri) has discovered that the personal information of our employees and others was leaked. This occurred due to unauthorized access to our server by a third party in August 2024.
We sincerely apologize for the great inconvenience and concern caused to all concerned parties.
1. **Leaked Personal Information**
Personal data regarding our employees, etc.
- Items: Name, company email address
- Number of cases: 2,606
*Our employees, contracted business workers (including G-appointed employees and former employees)*
2. **Response to Those Whose Personal Information Has Been Confirmed to Have Been Leaked**
We are contacting the relevant employees individually.
For those who cannot be contacted individually due to resignation, etc., we will notify them through this announcement and set up a hotline to handle inquiries regarding this matter.
3. **Measures to Prevent Recurrence**
We have already rebuilt and re-inspected our servers. However, we will work to prevent recurrence by further strengthening our security measures.
4. **Inquiries Regarding This Matter**
Inquiries from those affected by this matter can be made through the hotline below.