Pokemon cheaters get banned before Scarlet & Violet release

The Pokemon Company delivers online bans to players using hacked Pokemon and other cheats prior to Pokemon Scarlet and Violet’s release.

The Pokémon Company is cracking down on cheaters head-on Pokemon Scarlet and Violetits release. Cheaters can be a problem in many games, especially those with online features, and so many companies work hard to limit their impact.

The Pokémon news page Serebii has reported that a “new ban wave” is being issued by the Pokémon Company to limit the impact of hacked Pokémon and other cheats. The new measures are being delivered through both the mainline Switch games and Pokemon Home, the subscription-based service that allows players to save, transfer, and trade Pokémon between games. Players who have hacked their games will therefore find themselves unable to access online features such as combat and trading. Depending on the circumstances, these bans can be either temporary or permanent. Previously hacked Pokemon crashed Sword and shield with the game’s trading mechanic.

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Online ban issued before Scarlet And Violet is released

This crackdown coincides with the fast approaching release of the next generation of Pokémon, Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. Set in the Paldea region, the games have built up an impressive amount of hype, with a number of reveals and trailers hinting at the massive adventures players can expect. It is clear that the bans are intended to minimize the effect that cheaters can have on the game’s online features, either by disrupting trades that were seen with Sword and shield or by having an unfair advantage in online matches. But at the same time it must be said that a certain degree of cheating cannot be prevented, at least in single-player games. A storage editor for Pokemon Let’s Go games were released online only a month after the games were, for example, and similar software is guaranteed to be made for Scarlet and Violet.

Of course, not all examples of Pokémon Hacking is meant to be harmful. There has long been a thriving community of modders who create their own games and ROMs based on them Pokémon game, giving fans new adventures in both official and fan-made regions. The production of such games, although generally shelved by Nintendo as a copyright infringement, remains an impressive example of fan culture and creativity in action. Some of the best Pokémon fan games and ROM hacks increase the difficulty significantly, providing a unique challenge for even experienced players.

While this round of digital sanctions will not prevent a player from hacking their own game if they wish, it will still prevent those players from interacting with others. This is an important step to ensure the web features are up to date Pokémon games, as cheaters can pose a threat to both system stability and the enjoyment of other players. This in turn will support the release of Pokemon Scarlet and Violet; hacked Pokémon will not be able to threaten the stability of other fans’ new games through online interactions, and any unfair advantages in battle will likewise be prevented. Meanwhile, someone Sword and shield online features have been disabled this month, partly due to the debut of the new generation.

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Source: Serebii/Twitter