Nintendo Seeks Discord User Identity in Wake of Pokémon Company 'Teraleak' Leak

Nintendo has taken decisive legal action in response to last year's massive Pokémon Company 'Teraleak,' filing a subpoena to compel Discord to reveal the identity of the user behind one of the most significant data breaches in recent gaming history.

The leak, which occurred in October 2024, saw a large cache of confidential company materials—including sensitive employee information—circulate online, drawing attention from across the global gaming industry. On April 18, 2025, Nintendo submitted official documentation to the U.S.

District Court for the Northern District of California, requesting the disclosure of personal information belonging to the Discord user known as 'GameFreakOUT.' According to the subpoena, first reported by Polygon, the individual is accused of disseminating 'confidential materials not released to the public' on a Discord server called 'FreakLeak.' The legal request specifically seeks the user's name, address, phone number, and email address in order to enforce rights protected under the Copyright Act. The subpoena clarifies that the information obtained through this legal process will be used exclusively to uphold and protect the rights of Nintendo of America, with no immediate indication of further court action following the identification of 'GameFreakOUT.' Nevertheless, the precedent set by The Pokémon Company's previous legal pursuits—such as the $150,000 settlement with those who leaked the Pokémon Sword and Shield strategy guide in 2019—suggests the possibility of further legal proceedings remains open. Nintendo included a redacted screenshot from the implicated Discord server as supporting evidence.

The image reportedly shows the user 'GameFreakOUT' offering a file containing leaked data, instructing others to 'enjoy' the confidential information.

The scope of last year's 'teraleak' reportedly encompassed a broad range of sensitive data, from unreleased game source codes and future project outlines to employee records.

While there were claims of access to Pokémon Legends: Z-A's source code, no such files were ever publicly distributed. This incident underscores the evolving security challenges faced by major game developers such as The Pokémon Company and hardware giant Nintendo, especially as they prepare and release highly anticipated titles for platforms like the Nintendo Switch.

The situation serves as a cautionary example for the industry at large, reinforcing the importance of safeguarding intellectual property and sensitive corporate assets. As legal proceedings progress, all eyes remain on Nintendo, The Pokémon Company, and platforms like Discord to see how companies respond to breaches in an era where leaks can disrupt carefully planned product launches and impact fan communities worldwide.

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