The Pokémon Company's legal department might be set for a busy week after Pokémon Legends: Arceus was leaked with some brave gamers even taking to streaming the much-anticipated game.
The source of the leak was pretty old-fashioned too, apparently, an eBay seller from the US started sending out copies a whole week before its intended release date.
Now, the ROM files are out there and the datamining has begun revealing information such as what new Pokémon are in the game and the entire Pokédex.
And in the latest twist, there is also an increasing number of gamers streaming the title. At the time of writing, there are 30 people playing it on Twitch in the Pokémon Legends: Arceus category and reportedly there are many more doing so in an ad-hoc way via TikTok and Instagram Live.
Could streamers get in trouble for playing Pokémon Legends: Arceus on Twitch?
The short answer is - yes.
Nintendo and The Pokémon Company don't take kindly to leaks and there are reports that copyright strikes have gone out to those seen to be leaking material from Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
Also, this isn't the first time in recent memory a Pokémon game was leaked early. Ten days before its official release, Brilliant Diamond & Shining Pearl appeared on Twitch streams, and while there didn't seem to be any action taken with those folk - that hasn't always been the case.
In February of 2020, Nintendo cut ties with Portuguese publication, FNintedo, after they published a series of photographs showing previously unrevealed characters from Pokémon Sword and Shield before the launch of that game.
In that case, FNintendo had signed an NDA - a contract binding them to certain terms, namely not to release anything before a designated time.
Whether Nintendo/The Pokémon Company sees fit to go after streamers who haven't signed such a document is less clear, though if you value your streaming account we'd suggest waiting until the official release date.
That doesn't mean you can't enjoy and get prepared for Pokémon Legends: Arceus, the game is set for release on Friday, January 28 and we already have plenty of guides to (legally) bide your time with.
So, why not check out when Pokémon Legends Arceus takes place? Or learn the best starter Pokémon. Not purchased the game yet? Check out the pre-order bonuses!