‘Pokémon Sun and Moon’ pirates get banhammered by Nintendo

Anyone who had the pirated copy of Pokémon Sun and Moon and went online to play the game are systematically getting banned by Nintendo from ever enjoying online services on their device again. Image INQUIRER.net

“Pokémon Sun and Moon” is the latest installment in the long line of Pokemon games for the 3DS and many fans are eagerly awaiting its release. However, some fans got hold of a pirated copy, leading Nintendo to ban these players who went online with their pirated game.

The pirated copy of Pokémon Sun and Moon surfaced earlier in the month and allowed full access to the game including online connectivity, reports Kotaku.

Nintendo got wind of this and started to ban players who have the pirated copy on their 3DS and went online with it. The ban essentially locks the users’ 3DS from the game and the Nintendo eShop. Users will no longer be able to enter Pokémon Sun and Moon through their banned device as well as purchase or re-download already-owned titles. The 3DS itself will still function but is basically cut off from any online service.

Nintendo released the following statement as posted by Kotaku:

“As a result of a number of Nintendo 3DS users using unauthorized versions of several games, and connecting to the official game servers in violation of our terms of service, these users’ Nintendo 3DS systems that stored the unauthorized game code have been banned from Nintendo’s online network effective immediately.”

As with everything hacked or illegal in games, there’s always the off chance of discovery and getting hit by the banhammer whenever they go online. Moral of the story is, “A bit of patience a day will keep the banhammer away.” Pokémon Sun and Moon is scheduled to be released on Nov. 18 worldwide.  Alfred Bayle