Mods typically launch for free to avoid the most obvious legal issue that might arise from commercialization. Computer gaming fans would describe this kind of release as a "mod." Mods do a similar thing: they take existing, paid-for game engines and assets, and they apply a patch file that remixes existing content and adds new twists. Rather, Prism is a small patch file that is worthless without the original ROM file (which can either be legally dumped from a cartridge or maybe-not-so-legally downloaded from the Internet). Pokémon Prism is different because it's a "ROM hack"-meaning, it's not a full game. These legally questionable projects have typically been made from scratch, with game assets and art being extracted or recreated by the creators and then slapped into other game engines. Other recent Nintendo takedown notices, like the one sent to a fan-made remake of Metroid 2: Return of Samus, have come in the form of DMCA notices. Nintendo's Australian law firm, Addisons, has taken action against downloaders of commercial Nintendo products before, but the firm appears to have done little to nothing about makers of Nintendo-infringing software.
(American representatives for Nintendo were not able to confirm the letter's authenticity as of press time.) The request alleges that Koolboyman's project, which alters the source ROM of the 1999 game Pokémon Gold to create an entirely new adventure, violates multiple Australian laws.Įven though Vierra's public profile says he lives near San Francisco and Nintendo has headquarters and legal firms in America, Vierra clarified on his Twitter account that the game's planned launch site,, is hosted in Australia.
But a letter sent by Nintendo's Australian law firm on Wednesday has stopped those plans in their tracks.Īccording to Adam "Koolboyman" Vierra, developer of the fan-made Pokémon Prism project, Nintendo's Australian law firm sent him a cease-and-desist letter, which he uploaded to Google Drive with identifying information redacted. A fan-made Pokémon ROM hack in the works for eight years was set to launch this Sunday.
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