Pokémon X and Y Release Date: Nintendo Fights Early Release Leaks, Shuts Down Live Streams, Removes Images
Some Pokémon fans in Canada and Italy were able to get their hands on X and Y a few days early thanks to a few stores accidently giving the game a premature release.
Although one intrepid gamer attempted to host a live stream of their journey through their advanced release, the video has since been removed. However, screen caps from other players have revealed a few new interesting tidbits regarding new ways to customize your character and information on when players will encounter certain Pokémon and how they will evolve (such as Delphox and a Mega Aerodactyl).
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While fans may find the new leaks exciting, Nintendo does not seem quite as pleased about it. The long anticipated release of Pokémon X and Y will occur simultaneously around the world on Oct. 12. This is the first time the company has attempted such a feat, and it was partially to avoid spoilers for fans outside of Japan.
"We put a lot of effort into the global, simultaneous release to make sure that pays off," said Junichi Masuda, game director with Game Freak, according to Digital Spy. "Why we wanted to do this - to have the games out the same time around the world - is so everyone would be discovering Pokemon for the first time, trading and interacting with each other."
In an effort to contain to current leaks, various live streams and videos have been taken down. The company even went so far as to send a representative to the store where Instagram user Kosthedin obtained his copy of X.
"Nintendo flew a representative out this afternoon and went to the local game shop where I picked up X," Kosthedin said in a post on the account he had been using to upload spoiler photos. "The Nintendo rep had said heads were rolling at Nintendo because of the leaks. I gave up my copy of the game to try and help keep the local game shop out of trouble and to keep my friend from losing his job."
Fans in other countries still have to wait for the official release date in order to get their hands on the latest Nintendo 3DS games. However, screen caps and videos are out there for those curious enough to spend time searching for them.