Game Freak has confirmed in a statement a troubling data leak following unauthorised access to their server earlier this year. This breach has not only compromised the personal information of 2,606 current and former employees, including names and email addresses, but it has also revealed a treasure trove of sensitive project details.

According to reports from Nintendo Everything, the leak has unveiled source code for several Pokémon DS titles and intriguing details regarding the upcoming tenth generation of Pokémon, allegedly codenamed “Gaia.” This new generation is reportedly being developed for the successor to the Switch, with testing already underway on the current model.

Among the significant revelations is the confirmation that the upcoming title, Pokémon Legends: Z-A, is complete. Announced earlier this year in February, this game is set in Lumiose City and is scheduled for release on “Nintendo Switch systems” in 2025, appearing to follow the traditional format of previous titles.

Furthermore, there are claims of a Pokémon title being developed in collaboration with another studio, alongside the circulation of unused beta designs from multiple Pokémon generations on social media.

In light of these events, Game Freak has issued an official statement apologising for the inconvenience and concern caused to those affected. They assured us that they would contact the impacted individuals and take measures to prevent future breaches by strengthening their security protocols.

Nintendo, which has hosted Pokémon games for nearly three decades, is no stranger to significant leaks, having previously experienced the infamous ‘gigaleak’ that exposed numerous projects, games, and source code. As the gaming community awaits further updates, the implications of this leak may reshape expectations for future Pokémon releases.

Gigaleak Gamefreak / Nintendo
Currently known and present on the Internet
There must be a total of 1TB (and only 4GB are really available)
No links will be posted for the moment on this account, for information purposes only while we check the sources.
Platinum full full source… pic.twitter.com/H0Atgx3Aco

— SwitchTools (@SwitchTools) October 12, 2024

Here’s what Game Freak had to say about the situation (translated by Nintendo Everything):

Game Freak Inc. (Headquarters: Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo; CEO: Satoshi Tajiri) has confirmed a breach that occurred in August 2024, resulting in the leak of personal information belonging to our employees and others. We sincerely apologise for any inconvenience and concern this has caused.

1. Leaked Personal Information
   • Data Type: Employee personal information
   • Details: Names and company email addresses
   • Total Affected: 2,606 individuals, including current and former employees
2. Outreach to Affected Individuals
   • We are reaching out to those whose information was compromised. For those who cannot be contacted due to resignation or other reasons, this announcement serves as notification, and we have set up a contact point for inquiries regarding this matter.
3. Preventive Measures
   • Our server has been completely rebuilt and inspected, and we are committed to strengthening our security protocols to prevent future incidents.
4. Inquiries
   • If you are affected, please reach out to us through the following office: [Inquiry form]

We will keep you updated on any significant developments.