Nintendo has filed for a subpoena in a California court to compel Discord to disclose information about the individual behind last year's massive Pokémon leak, referred to as "FreakLeak" or "TeraLeak."
Legal documents reviewed by Polygon reveal Nintendo is seeking a court order requiring Discord to provide identifying details—including name, address, phone number, and email—for a user named "GameFreakOUT." This individual allegedly posted copyrighted artwork, character designs, source code, and other Pokémon-related materials to a Discord server last October, which subsequently spread across the internet.
Possible Connection to Earlier Data Breach
While unconfirmed, the leaked materials may stem from a security incident Game Freak disclosed in October after detecting unauthorized access in August. The company reported that 2,606 staff records—including current, former, and contractor details—were compromised. Curiously, leaked files surfaced online on October 12, followed by Game Freak's statement (backdated to October 10) the next day, which only referenced employee data exposure.
Extent of the Leaked Materials
The breach exposed unreleased projects, developmental assets, and early game builds, including:
- Details about Pokémon Champions (confirmed by February's official announcement)
- Accurate information about Pokémon Legends: Z-A
- Unverified next-generation Pokémon details
- Source code for Nintendo DS Pokémon titles
- Internal meeting notes
- Discarded content from Pokémon Legends: Arceus
While Nintendo hasn't yet initiated legal proceedings, this subpoena suggests the company is pursuing the leaker's identity, potentially as a precursor to litigation. Given Nintendo's history of aggressively protecting its intellectual property—from piracy cases to patent disputes—legal action may follow if the court grants this request.
