Over the past two weeks or so, somebody has been leaking a wealth of information on Nintendo’s upcoming Super Smash Bros. Previously unrevealed characters have been shown off; in fact, just about the entire roster has been leaked. Nintendo’s been trickling this information out so, as you can understand, they’re rather unhappy.
Leakers revealed that, at least in the 3ds version, we’d be seeing the dog from Duck Hunt, Shulk from Xenoblade Chronicles, Bowser Jr, and Ganondorf join the battle. Bowser Jr. seems the most interesting, as he uses his flying clown-copter as his primary offensive and defensive weapon.
The video evidence has now all been removed from YouTube, but here’s a pretty good video showing everything that’s been leaked.
The thing is, this leak could only have come from the inside – and according to rumours, that leaker has not only been found out – but was found to be a Nintendo employee. Or rather, an ex-employee.
According to GoNintendo, the leaker is now in a spot of bother. Here’s what their sources say:
- Nintendo have identified the leaker
- the leaker has been fired and is being sued.
- he was an employee of NoA who was sending materials to the ESRB
- the leaker still has a copy of the Smash Bros 3DS game in his possession
- he also has one of the 3DS systems used for internal ratings
If this is true, that’s quite a punishment for uploading pictures and videos of an unreleased game to the internet – but well within Nintendo’s means, and rights, I just don’t get why people would leak this sort of stuff to begin with; is the fleeting moment of internet notoriety worth the consequence?
What do you think? If true, is Nintendo being a bit heavy handed – or is the leaker getting his just desserts?
Last Updated: August 26, 2014
Viking Of Science
August 26, 2014 at 10:07
I get the Firing, but not the sueing… Leaking of Internal materials is an offence worthy of immediate dismissal, but why are they sueing him? Until we know what the charge is, the sueing could be anywhere between Mildly and Wildly outrageous.
Errol The Terrible
August 26, 2014 at 10:19
The employee would have signed a Non Disclosure Agreement. This means that if you leak info then you end up in court…
Alien Emperor Trevor
August 26, 2014 at 10:10
You’re nicked! Fired sure, but sued for what – is this really something damaging? Unless they’re suing him for breach of contract or the like, which they’re perfectly entitled to do if that’s the case.
robinn6135
August 26, 2014 at 10:36
I’m making over $7k a month working part time. I kept hearing other people tell me how much money they can make online so I decided to look into it. Well, it was all true and has totally changed my life.Easiest way to make money. This is what I do....
??????????? netjobs.com..,,,.,.,.,.
Exalted Overlord Geoffrey Tim
August 26, 2014 at 11:09
Yeah, there will likely have been quite a few signed NDA’s in place.
Admiral Chief Assassin
August 26, 2014 at 10:10
Good
Umar Ver 1.OBJECTION
August 26, 2014 at 10:13
Seriously, the Monado will KILL everyone. Mario ain’t got a chance. Please let this be real
Umar Ver 1.OBJECTION
August 26, 2014 at 10:14
I won’t lie, I’m getting more and more hype for this game
Rinceable
August 26, 2014 at 10:18
Force him/her to eat shrooms and play Mario forEVA!
HvR
August 26, 2014 at 11:34
With motion controls
Wyzak
August 26, 2014 at 10:41
Deserving punishment for sure.
JHN
August 26, 2014 at 11:41
The sueing is actually pretty stock standard, if i leak information about my company im sure they would do the same.
Kromas of City17
August 26, 2014 at 12:11
I just don’t understand how a game with a plumber as it’s main star could have sprung such a bad leak. 😛
Colin Tosh
August 26, 2014 at 16:01
Is he really the only leaker though? I didn’t follow the leak like a dog chasing a bone but I stood back and there were a few websites with people leaking info.
4chan, smash boards, gamefaqs, neogaf. That seems like a lot of people for one employee to give information to.
J_Joestar
August 26, 2014 at 18:17
well i’m sure it is because this one in particular is leaking actual images and even video.
If he was just posting text-only details he could easily have been written off as a very lucky internet prophet.
Lobster
September 2, 2014 at 03:01
One thing is, sorry if I sound a bit hostile, or cinical, the rosters are said to be identical for both systems. So if the leak was true, we’ll be seeing browser Jr, duck hunt, etc. In both the Wii U, and 3DS releases.