Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com Joystiq http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/http://www.joystiq.com/media/feedlogo.gif Joystiq http://www.joystiq.com en-us Copyright 2013 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[Hackers claim to have developed Wii U mod chip, Nintendo aware and prepared]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/30/hackers-claim-to-have-developed-wii-u-mod-chip-nintendo-aware-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/30/hackers-claim-to-have-developed-wii-u-mod-chip-nintendo-aware-a/http://www.joystiq.com/2013/04/30/hackers-claim-to-have-developed-wii-u-mod-chip-nintendo-aware-a/#commentsHackers claim to have developed Wii U mod chip, Nintendo A hacker group claims they have designed a modification chip that circumvents security measures on Nintendo's Wii U. In a post on the group's website - which Joystiq has decided against linking to - the modders say they have "completely reversed the Wii U drive authentication, disk encryption, file system, and everything else" needed for its most recent chip. The group had previously been known for developing a similar chip for the Nintendo Wii.

In the face of such claims, Nintendo has responded by maintaining the company is prepared to combat the most recent threat of piracy - a threat that plagues the video game industry. "Nintendo is aware that a hacking group claims to have compromised Wii U security; however, we have no reports of illegal Wii U games nor unauthorized applications playable on the system while in Wii U mode," the hardware manufacturer told CVG in a statement.

Nintendo says it continues to monitor any threats to its business and will take "the necessary legal steps to prevent the facilitation of piracy."

The development and distribution of mod chips is a murky legal issue, due to differences in international law. The website that houses the group behind the claim was registered in Australia, which previously ruled that the sale of mod chips are illegal.

Despite the claim, the group has released no evidence that a chip is functioning as described, nor that it actually exists.

JoystiqHackers claim to have developed Wii U mod chip, Nintendo aware and prepared originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 30 Apr 2013 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>HackersnintendoPiracywii-uTue, 30 Apr 2013 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo counterfeiter makes $962,000 in illegal sales, faces jail time]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/19/nintendo-counterfeiter-makes-962-000-in-illegal-sales-faces-ja/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/19/nintendo-counterfeiter-makes-962-000-in-illegal-sales-faces-ja/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/19/nintendo-counterfeiter-makes-962-000-in-illegal-sales-faces-ja/#comments Nintendo counterfeiter makes $962,000 in illegal sales, faces jail timeNintendo's ever-vigilant quest against piracy continues, as Justin Success Brooks of the United Kingdom has been charged with the fraudulent sale of counterfeit Nintendo games, according to the Croydon Guardian. The 41-year-old man was caught in an investigation conducted by Nintendo and the UK Interactive Entertainment association. The two groups purchased games from suspect outlets, eventually finding their way to Brooks.

Operating between 2009 and 2011, Brooks allegedly made an estimated £600,000 (over $962,000) selling "thousands" of counterfeit Wii, DS and DSi games. All told, Brooks has been charged with seven counts of fraud, including "two counts of fraudulent trading, two counts of supplying an article to use in fraud, two counts of unauthorised possession of goods bearing a trademark and one count of unauthorised use of a trademark."

Brooks has pled guilty to all counts. He has been granted bail and awaits sentencing, which will take place on November 9. Always remember, Mario is watching.

JoystiqNintendo counterfeiter makes $962,000 in illegal sales, faces jail time originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 19 Oct 2012 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>babypiratesdsnintendopiracyukukiewiiFri, 19 Oct 2012 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Report: Crysis 2 is the most pirated game of 2011]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/03/report-crysis-2-is-the-most-pirated-game-of-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/03/report-crysis-2-is-the-most-pirated-game-of-2011/http://www.joystiq.com/2012/01/03/report-crysis-2-is-the-most-pirated-game-of-2011/#comments Who pillaged the most booty in 2011? Which vessel had the most ornate mast? ... Wait, we've got it all wrong -- these aren't the pirate pirate awards for 2011, they're the most pirated games of the year. Can you guess which game took top ... um ... "honors?"

TorrentFreak has tossed out some estimate figures, saying that Crysis 2 was downloaded 3.9 million times over BitTorrent since March, edging out Modern Warfare 3, which was downloaded an estimated 3.6 million times since November. Taking third place on its list was Battlefield 3 with an estimated 3.5 million downloads. Rounding out the top five on the PC side were FIFA 12 and Portal 2.

There are also estimated figures for Xbox 360 and Wii games -- Gears of War 3 and Super Mario Galaxy 2 were the most pirated games with 890,000 and 1.2 million estimated downloads, respectively.

JoystiqReport: Crysis 2 is the most pirated game of 2011 originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Jan 2012 23:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>babypiratesCrysis-2eamicrosoftnintendopcpiracywiixboxTue, 03 Jan 2012 23:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo, EA and Sony also rescind SOPA support]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/30/nintendo-ea-and-sony-also-rescind-sopa-support/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/30/nintendo-ea-and-sony-also-rescind-sopa-support/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/30/nintendo-ea-and-sony-also-rescind-sopa-support/#comments Nintendo, Electronic Arts and Sony Electronics have apparently followed the example of Microsoft and the Business Software Alliance, and have removed their corporate monikers from the list of supporters for the increasingly unpopular Stop Online Piracy Act. None of the three companies have commented on why they reversed their position on the controversial bill, but we imagine its because endorsing it makes the internet pretty angry with you. When asked, EA corporate told Joystiq this afternoon, "EA never expressed a position for or against SOPA." Sony and Nintendo had yet to respond as of publishing.

Note that not all of Sony's miscellaneous branches have rescinded their support, as Sony/ATV Music Publishing, Sony Music Entertainment and Sony Music Nashville still appear on the list. Also, the Entertainment Software Association is still shown as a supporter -- an organization which the aforementioned publishers (among others) belong to. Whether the group will remain on an endorsement list which exactly zero of its members appear on remains to be seen.

JoystiqNintendo, EA and Sony also rescind SOPA support originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 30 Dec 2011 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dscongressdseaelectronic-artsnintendopiracyplaystationplaystation-vitapoliticsps3pspsonysopavitawiiwii-uFri, 30 Dec 2011 18:40:00 EST<![CDATA[EFF working to make console modding legal]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/eff-working-to-make-console-modding-legal/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/eff-working-to-make-console-modding-legal/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/12/02/eff-working-to-make-console-modding-legal/#comments Your Humble Indie Bundle dollars at work! The Copyright Office is taking submissions about possible new exemptions to the Digital Millennium Copyright Act, and the Electronic Frontier Foundation is petitioning the office to protect "jailbreaking" of consoles, tablets, and other devices to run software other than that supported by the manufacturer. A year ago, a similar EFF initiative resulted in an exemption on "jailbreaking" smartphones.

"The DMCA is supposed to block copyright infringement," said EFF Intellectual Property Director Corynne McSherry. "But instead it can be misused to threaten creators, innovators, and consumers, discouraging them from making full and fair use of their own property." McSherry asserted that "artists and tinkerers" who want to modify their devices to run whatever they want deserve legal protection.

The use of jailbroken consoles -- or any technology -- to violate copyright (by, for example, playing an unauthorized copy of a retail game) would remain illegal. But the act of modding a console itself would no longer be.

The Copyright Office will hold hearings on DMCA extensions in the spring.

JoystiqEFF working to make console modding legal originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Dec 2011 11:05:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdmcadseffjailbreakinglegalmicrosoftmobilemoddingmodsnintendopiracyplaystationplaystation-vitaps3pspsonyvitawiixboxFri, 02 Dec 2011 11:05:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo 3DS more resistant to piracy, claims Nintendo UK manager]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/26/nintendo-3ds-more-resistant-to-piracy-claims-nintendo-uk-manage/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/26/nintendo-3ds-more-resistant-to-piracy-claims-nintendo-uk-manage/http://www.joystiq.com/2011/01/26/nintendo-3ds-more-resistant-to-piracy-claims-nintendo-uk-manage/#comments Before all you Zero Cools and Crash Overrides out there start taking the headline you see above as a challenge, we'd like to note that Nintendo wasn't intending on baiting would-be hackers regarding its forthcoming 3DS' hackability (or lack thereof). "It's always like a red rag to a bull isn't it? I almost don't want to comment on that sort of thing," Nintendo UK general manager David Yarnton said in an interview with CVG recently.

Yarnton continued, shying away from getting too specific. "We can't divulge any technical details ... but needless to say this is probably one of our best pieces of equipment in that respect," he said, adding, "There are a lot of things we've learned over time to try and improve the security and protection - not only of our IP but of our third-party publishers' IP as well."

That said, it's not all technology driving the protection. "People are aware that video games, music and movies make massive contributions to the economies of countries. They need to make sure they start protecting those things," Nintendo UK marketing manager James Honeywell noted. "I think perhaps there's been a 'heyday of piracy' and we've now seen a lot of rules come in to stop it." Honeywell also points out precedent-setting legal cases regarding the R4 cart, and other DS flash carts as helping with the 3DS' piracy protection. "This now makes a precedent that potentially in the future it won't be a viable thing for people to do." We're not sure if additional laws prohibiting piracy will make the act any less viable, but it'll at least drop a hefty penalty on those who get caught.

JoystiqNintendo 3DS more resistant to piracy, claims Nintendo UK manager originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 26 Jan 2011 18:40:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdavid-yarntondsjames-honeywellnintendonintendo-of-europenintendo-ukpiracyWed, 26 Jan 2011 18:40:00 EST<![CDATA[Michael Jackson: The Experience DS pirates treated to 'Billie JeaoooOOONNNHHHH']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/04/michael-jackson-the-experience-ds-pirates-treated-to-billie-je/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/04/michael-jackson-the-experience-ds-pirates-treated-to-billie-je/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/12/04/michael-jackson-the-experience-ds-pirates-treated-to-billie-je/#comments We haven't heard much about the actual quality of Michael Jackson: The Experience's DS iteration, but its anti-piracy measures are absolutely top-notch. Pirates who have downloaded ROMs of the game -- for ... some reason -- have reported that two major problems have found their way into the illicit version of the game: Many of the game's touchscreen controls are rendered non-functional, and also, oh yeah, a vuvuzela just happens to be blaring over all the songs.

While the infamous party horn adds a little something something to MJ's mixes, it probably makes it a little difficult to keep up with the dancing. Check out a brief, off-screen video of the anti-piracy horn in action posted after the jump.

Continue reading Michael Jackson: The Experience DS pirates treated to 'Billie JeaoooOOONNNHHHH'

JoystiqMichael Jackson: The Experience DS pirates treated to 'Billie JeaoooOOONNNHHHH' originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 04 Dec 2010 02:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>anti-piracydsMichael-Jackson-The-ExperiencenintendopiracyUbisoftvuvuzelaSat, 04 Dec 2010 02:10:00 EST<![CDATA[Iwata: Don't chalk up poor software sales to piracy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/09/iwata-dont-chalk-up-poor-software-sales-to-piracy/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/09/iwata-dont-chalk-up-poor-software-sales-to-piracy/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/09/iwata-dont-chalk-up-poor-software-sales-to-piracy/#commentsFiled under: , ,

During a recent investor's call, Nintendo CEO Satoru Iwata made a fairly surprising observation regarding the piracy that's run somewhat rampant on its two gaming platforms. "I do not think we should attribute bad software sales solely to piracy," Iwata explained. "Even with piracy, as long as we can create products which can attract attention from many consumers and which can greatly entertain them, that software can make it to the number one position of the hit software sales chart."

Iwata later added, "it is true there is always the influence of piracy, but it is important for us to increase the number of our consumers who are willing to shell out their money to purchase our products." As far as we've seen, Nintendo doesn't have much of a problem accomplishing that lofty goal.

JoystiqIwata: Don't chalk up poor software sales to piracy originally appeared on Joystiq on Sat, 09 Oct 2010 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsiwatanintendopiracysatoru-iwatawiiSat, 09 Oct 2010 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo 'looking into' SpotPass for automatic 3DS firmware updates]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/01/nintendo-looking-into-spotpass-for-automatic-3ds-firmware-upda/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/01/nintendo-looking-into-spotpass-for-automatic-3ds-firmware-upda/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/10/01/nintendo-looking-into-spotpass-for-automatic-3ds-firmware-upda/#commentsFiled under: , ,

During an investor Q&A (translated by Andriasang), Nintendo president Satoru Iwata outlined a potential method of keeping the 3DS from becoming as beset by piracy as the DS platform -- and it uses one of the new 3DS features. Iwata told investors that "As part of the functionality of SpotPass, we're looking into having automatic system updates via the internet." That means that the 3DS would be able to download firmware updates automatically whenever in contact with a WiFi signal, a functionality that Iwata also wants to use to add new features.

Iwata also said that Nintendo expected to keep game prices around the same price point as current DS releases. "We don't believe that the world is in a state where high priced software will sell well, so we don't believe it will be in a price range too far off from current DS software." And then Square Enix games will be ten dollars higher than that range.

JoystiqNintendo 'looking into' SpotPass for automatic 3DS firmware updates originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 01 Oct 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsfirmwarenintendopiracysatoru-iwataspotpassFri, 01 Oct 2010 18:01:00 EST<![CDATA[DSi firmware 1.4.1U update blocks certain flash carts]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/08/dsi-firmware-1-4-1u-update-blocks-certain-flash-carts/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/08/dsi-firmware-1-4-1u-update-blocks-certain-flash-carts/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/09/08/dsi-firmware-1-4-1u-update-blocks-certain-flash-carts/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Nintendo has released a new firmware update for the DSi -- the first update in over a year. The update does not add any new functionality to the device, but instead provides "behind-the-scenes improvements to system performance." Translation: Several DSi flash cartridges, which enable the use of homebrew or pirated software, have been blocked.

According to GBAtemp.net, the affected carts include (but aren't necessarily limited to) the Acekard 2i, Supercard DSTwo, M3i Zero, iPlayer and DSTTi. A handful of carts are reportedly unaffected by the update, including the EZ-Flash Vi, iSmart DS and Hyper R4i.

And thus the cycle begins anew, with hackers diligently hacking away at Nintendo's new anti-piracy efforts (which didn't take too long last time). Joystiq does not condone piracy, but flash cartridges also have plenty of legal, entertaining uses. For example, did you know the DS makes a handy SCUMM emulator?

JoystiqDSi firmware 1.4.1U update blocks certain flash carts originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Sep 2010 16:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>1.4.1UdsdsifirmwarehomebrewnintendopiracyWed, 08 Sep 2010 16:00:00 EST<![CDATA[THQ executive impressed by 3DS piracy protection]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/11/thq-executive-impressed-by-3ds-piracy-protection/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/11/thq-executive-impressed-by-3ds-piracy-protection/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/07/11/thq-executive-impressed-by-3ds-piracy-protection/#commentsFiled under: , ,

In a recent interview with CVG, Ian Curran, THQ's executive VP of global publishing, touted his favorite new feature the 3DS will bring to the portable market. No, not its titular three-dimensional display tech. No, not all of those rebooted classic franchises. "What excites me even more," Curran explained, "is that there's technology built in that device to really combat piracy."

Curran added, "they combated the piracy on DSi, which they don't believe is cracked yet - but they know they've been hurt across the world and they believe the 3DS has got technology that can stop that." That's a nice sentiment, but considering how resourceful the modding community has proven itself over the years, we're pretty sure the only thing that could stop them from pirating 3DS games is some sort of self-destruct mechanism. We sincerely doubt Nintendo could get something like that past the FCC.

JoystiqTHQ executive impressed by 3DS piracy protection originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 11 Jul 2010 18:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>3dsdsian-currannintendopiracythqSun, 11 Jul 2010 18:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii Menu 4.3 brings performance upgrades, removes homebrew]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/22/wii-menu-4-3-brings-performance-upgrades-removes-homebrew/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/22/wii-menu-4-3-brings-performance-upgrades-removes-homebrew/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/22/wii-menu-4-3-brings-performance-upgrades-removes-homebrew/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Over the last day or so, a message has gradually disseminated through North America's Wii systems, alerting users to a new Wii Menu update (we personally received it at around 1AM EST). Wii Menu 4.3 doesn't add any neat features to the user experience; rather, it seems focused entirely on taking features away from swarthy pirates and unlucky homebrewers.

"Because unauthorized channels or firmware may impair game play or the Wii console, updating to Wii Menu version 4.3 will check for and automatically remove such unauthorized files," Nintendo says on its support site, repeating a message found in every firmware update . "In addition, there are some behind the scenes enhancements that do not affect any prominently-used features or menus but will improve system performance."

Improved system performance is always a good thing, of course, but the text makes it sound like this is secondary to the main goal of taking another pass at everyone's Wiis to search for unauthorized software.

JoystiqWii Menu 4.3 brings performance upgrades, removes homebrew originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 22 Jun 2010 10:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>firmwarenintendopiracywiiwii-menuwii-menu-4-3wii-menu-updateTue, 22 Jun 2010 10:30:00 EST<![CDATA[CESA calculates gaming industry losses due to portable piracy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/06/cesa-calculates-gaming-industry-losses-due-to-portable-piracy/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/06/cesa-calculates-gaming-industry-losses-due-to-portable-piracy/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/06/06/cesa-calculates-gaming-industry-losses-due-to-portable-piracy/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Japan's Computer Entertainment Suppliers Association recently conducted a study of the the world's 114 most popular sites for illegal game downloads in order to get a rough estimate on how much the industry has lost due to software piracy. The results aren't pretty: According to Andriasang's report on the group's calculations, piracy on the DS and PSP alone between 2004 and 2009 cost the worldwide games industry roughly 3.816 trillion yen, or around $41.7 billion. Join us in a "holy crap," won't you? Holy crap.

CESA noted that peer-to-peer downloads couldn't be tracked under their study, so the actual results could end up being much higher than this initial figure. We guess the industry's learned a pricey lesson about ... umm, DRM restrictions, or day-one paid downloadable content, or dedicated servers, or selling things at a negotiable price for charity.

JoystiqCESA calculates gaming industry losses due to portable piracy originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 06 Jun 2010 19:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CESAdsjapannintendopiracyplaystationpspSun, 06 Jun 2010 19:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo files lawsuit against NY seller of 'illegal video game copiers']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/13/nintendo-files-lawsuit-against-ny-seller-of-illegal-video-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/13/nintendo-files-lawsuit-against-ny-seller-of-illegal-video-game/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/05/13/nintendo-files-lawsuit-against-ny-seller-of-illegal-video-game/#comments Nintendo has fired yet another volley in its war on video game piracy, this time against a Queens, New York-based seller of "illegal video game copiers." Nintendo has filed suit against the owner of NXPGAME, which presided over a website that sold "illegal video game copiers that enable the user to download, play and distribute illegal copies of Nintendo DS and Nintendo DSi video game software." Nintendo alleges that the owner agreed to shut down the website after several calls and letters from Nintendo legal counsel, but proceeded to open another website selling the same products. Nintendo adds that the old site also redirected users to the new one.

Nintendo doesn't specify exactly what the "Illegal game copiers" in question are, though it does mention a 2009 court case in which the California Central District Court judged the infamous R4 flash cart to be in violation of the Digital Millennium Copyright Act and deemed them illegal in the United States. According to Nintendo, such devices "circumvent the technological protection measures" of the DS and DSi and thus infringe on the company's intellectual property rights.

Jodi Daugherty, senior director of Nintendo's anti-piracy effort, noted that using such devices "is illegal and it's wrong," adding, "Piracy is especially harmful to smaller developers." Alex Neuse, CEO of Gaijin Games (Bit.Trip Runner) states in the press release that he estimates that "more than 70 percent" of his company's games have been obtained illegally. "Put simply," said Neuse, "if you enjoy a company's games, paying for them helps to ensure that they will continue to make products you'll like."

The news follows a recent win for Nintendo in a similar Australian court case this past February. That case saw offenders pay in excess of $500,000. In the same month, Nintendo won another case against a man that leaked New Super Mario Bros. Wii onto the internet, ending in a fine of $1.5 million. Once again, would-be pirates, Nintendo is serious about this.

JoystiqNintendo files lawsuit against NY seller of 'illegal video game copiers' originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 13 May 2010 17:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>babypiratesDSflashcartlawsuitlegalnintendonxpgamepiracyr4Thu, 13 May 2010 17:32:00 EST<![CDATA[GTA: Chinatown Wars accounts for 50% of M-rated sales on DS]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/02/gta-chinatown-wars-accounts-for-50-of-m-rated-sales-on-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/02/gta-chinatown-wars-accounts-for-50-of-m-rated-sales-on-ds/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/04/02/gta-chinatown-wars-accounts-for-50-of-m-rated-sales-on-ds/#commentsHere's how you make Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars sound like a massive sales success: "As of February 2010, Chinatown Wars' unit sales in the US represented nearly 50 percent of the unit sales of all M-rated DS titles in the history of the platform." That's Take-Two CEO Ben Feder, via MCV, putting Chinatown Wars' sales into perspective. That means it met the combined sales of the 6 M-rated games on DS to date, which include Dementium: The Ward, Resident Evil: Deadly Silence and Ultimate Mortal Kombat, and the smaller releases: Theresia, Touch the Dead and C.O.R.E.

Despite comparing GTA's sales to 3 games most people have never heard of, 2 games that most people didn't know were on DS, and Dementium, Feder kind of admitted that the game's sales weren't where Take-Two wanted them to be, echoing Nintendo's statement last December. What's to blame? Piracy, of course. "Piracy is a real and present danger for our industry and must be addressed, especially in the handheld market," he said. "The commercial performance of Chinatown Wars has certainly suffered at the hands of piracy."

JoystiqGTA: Chinatown Wars accounts for 50% of M-rated sales on DS originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 02 Apr 2010 11:32:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>ben-federDSgrand-theft-autoGrand-Theft-Auto-Chinatown-Warsgtagta-chinatown-warsm-ratedmature-gamesNintendopiracysalestake-twoFri, 02 Apr 2010 11:32:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo wins R4 piracy suit in Australia: Pay up, pirates!]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/18/nintendo-wins-r4-piracy-suit-in-australia-pay-up-pirates/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/18/nintendo-wins-r4-piracy-suit-in-australia-pay-up-pirates/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/18/nintendo-wins-r4-piracy-suit-in-australia-pay-up-pirates/#comments Nintendo's march against the R4 mod cartridge for the DS rolls on this week, as the company has won a lawsuit against an Australian distributor of the now-illegal device, according to iTNews. RSJ IT Solutions, which sold the R4 through gadgetgear.com.au, was ordered to stop selling the device and fined $520,000 ($466,752 USD) in damages payable to Nintendo. Two other respondents named by Nintendo in the suit, Patrick Li and James Li, were also ordered to stop selling the R4 in Australia and fined $100,000 ($89,760 USD). Furthermore, the two are required to disclose the names of their R4 suppliers.

This marks Nintendo's second major blow to piracy in Australia this month. Last week, Nintendo was successfully awarded $1.5 million ($1.3 million USD) in damages to be paid by a remorseful Australian man, who was found to be the first to upload New Super Mario Bros. Wii to the internet. Lest any potential pirates out there haven't figured it out yet -- especially those in Australia -- Nintendo isn't messing around.

JoystiqNintendo wins R4 piracy suit in Australia: Pay up, pirates! originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiababypiratesDSnintendopiracyr4Thu, 18 Feb 2010 18:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Australian NSMB Wii pirate to gamers: 'Don't do what I did']]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/10/australian-nsmb-wii-pirate-to-gamers-dont-do-what-i-did/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/10/australian-nsmb-wii-pirate-to-gamers-dont-do-what-i-did/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/10/australian-nsmb-wii-pirate-to-gamers-dont-do-what-i-did/#comments "For James Burt, it's game over." Faced with paying a $1.5 million ($1.3 million USD) fine to Nintendo -- along with additional court costs -- the 24-year-old Australian man who illegally uploaded New Super Mario Bros. Wii to the internet now has to endure the trite (see: "game over" line) and unsympathetic reporting of a local TV show called "A Current Affair." Here's question one: "You do admit that what you did was quite stupid?" BAM.

Nintendo Australia's Rose Lappin claims the pirated plumber code was downloaded approximately 50,000 times after Burt bought a copy from a retailer that failed to adhere to the street date. "It's no different to stealing anything else," she concluded, reflecting Nintendo's unflinching legal stance in the matter.

As for Burt's considerable debt, he said, "It's something I'm going to have to work through for the rest of my life." It's a clear example and a harsh punishment -- especially when so many pirates escape without repercussion -- that Burt has warned his fellow gamers against. Seriously, guys, do not duplicate that disc.

[Via GamePolitics]

JoystiqAustralian NSMB Wii pirate to gamers: 'Don't do what I did' originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 10 Feb 2010 21:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australiababypiratesfinejames-burtnew-super-mario-bros-wiiNintendopiracyrose-lappinWiiWed, 10 Feb 2010 21:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo Australia fines NSMB Wii uploader $1.5 million]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/09/nintendo-australia-fines-nsmb-wii-uploader-1-5-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/09/nintendo-australia-fines-nsmb-wii-uploader-1-5-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/02/09/nintendo-australia-fines-nsmb-wii-uploader-1-5-million/#commentsFinally, Nintendo has been able to make a little money from New Super Mario Bros. Wii, a sequel to one of its old franchises, released this November. Nintendo of Australia announced that as the result of a federal court settlement, one Australian will be required to pay $1.5 million ($1.3 million USD) to Nintendo for loss of revenue due. This person was allegedly the first to upload New Super Mario Bros. Wii to the internet, doing so on November 6, one week before the game was released (an act that facilitated creative works in addition to piracy).

Not only is this bad news for this one guy, it should also serve as a warning to other would-be pirates. "Upon the game being uploaded to the Internet, Nintendo was able to employ the use of sophisticated technological forensics to identify the individual responsible for illegally copying the file and making it available for further distribution," Nintendo said in a press release. "On 23 November, 2009, Nintendo obtained a Federal Court search order in respect of the individual's residential premises. This led to the seizure of property from those premises in order to gain further evidence against the individual."

If you upload Nintendo games, the company will come to your house and take your stuff. Chilling.

[Thanks, Foetoid]

JoystiqNintendo Australia fines NSMB Wii uploader $1.5 million originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 09 Feb 2010 09:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>australianew-super-mario-bros-wiiNintendonintendo-australiapiracyWiiTue, 09 Feb 2010 09:30:00 EST<![CDATA[UK R4 importer sentenced to 12 months in prison]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/19/uk-r4-importer-sentenced-to-12-months-in-prison/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/19/uk-r4-importer-sentenced-to-12-months-in-prison/http://www.joystiq.com/2010/01/19/uk-r4-importer-sentenced-to-12-months-in-prison/#comments Not only are publishers trying to prevent the sale and distribution of R4 game copying devices for the Nintendo DS, but illegal importers are going to jail. GamePolitics reports that UK resident Yun Can Meng was sentenced to a year in prison after he plead guilty to importing over 26,500 R4 cards for distribution.

ELSPA's Director General Michael Ralinson said the organization was "pleased" with the outcome and the court's robust enforcement. If you're a UK resident in the R4 business, consider this a big flashing warning sign to find another business with lower risk -- like insurance fraud.

JoystiqUK R4 importer sentenced to 12 months in prison originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 19 Jan 2010 00:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>britainDSNintendopiracyr4theftukTue, 19 Jan 2010 00:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo appealing French flash cart ruling]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/10/nintendo-appealing-french-flash-cart-ruling/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/10/nintendo-appealing-french-flash-cart-ruling/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/12/10/nintendo-appealing-french-flash-cart-ruling/#commentsA Paris criminal court recently ruled in favor of Divineo, a company that sells DS flash carts. In a statement, Nintendo said that it was "extremely disappointed with the decision by Paris Criminal Court to find Max Louarn, his company, Divineo, and other co-defendants not guilty in the criminal case involving the sale and distribution of game copying devices," and that the company "welcomes the prosecutor's decision to appeal the judgment. As a victim Nintendo will join his appeal."

In the statement, Nintendo noted that Divineo still owes the company damages from a ruling made in Nintendo's favor in Hong Kong last year. Last month, a Spanish criminal case was dismissed against a company selling DS flash carts, with the judge in that case ruling that the carts are not illegal since they can be used for many non-infringing purposes.

JoystiqNintendo appealing French flash cart ruling originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 10 Dec 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>divineoDSflashcartfranceNintendopiracyThu, 10 Dec 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo, Capcom, friends file suit over DS piracy-enabling R4 sales]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/nintendo-capcom-friends-file-suit-over-ds-piracy-enabling-r4-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/nintendo-capcom-friends-file-suit-over-ds-piracy-enabling-r4-s/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/15/nintendo-capcom-friends-file-suit-over-ds-piracy-enabling-r4-s/#comments Faced with The Truth that - regardless of what sorts of anti-piracy technology it folds into its DS platform - pirates will invariably hack the dual-screened handheld, Nintendo has buddied up with Capcom and 53 other video game publishers in Japan to file suit against four resellers of the popular R4 flash cartridge.

Earlier this year, a Tokyo court banned the sale of the devices; however, Capcom now says that "legal action has had no meaningful effect in the intervening period" and that sellers would "ignore" its warnings. Enter: a new lawsuit, which Capcom hopes leads to a ruling that acknowledges "our company and other software manufactures have sustained [extreme] damages from proliferation of illegal instruments." Seems pretty cut and dry to us, but we'll let the courts decide.

JoystiqNintendo, Capcom, friends file suit over DS piracy-enabling R4 sales originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:15:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CapcomDSlawsuitNintendopiracyR4Thu, 15 Oct 2009 11:15:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo tackling pirates again (with the aid of consumer snitches)]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/05/nintendo-tackling-pirates-again-with-the-aid-of-consumer-snitch/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/05/nintendo-tackling-pirates-again-with-the-aid-of-consumer-snitch/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/10/05/nintendo-tackling-pirates-again-with-the-aid-of-consumer-snitch/#comments Police officers often employ the aid of criminal informants, a kind of double agent that works behind enemy lines to get all of the dirt on the lowlifes breaking the rules. That's the new strategy for Nintendo and the 54 other companies that have again jointly filed suit in a Tokyo District Court to thwart the sale of devices used by pirates, such as the R4.

Despite winning the initial filing, Japanese retailers still sell the R4 and other flash carts, so Nintendo and (presumably) the same 54 companies have again filed suit. This latest filing aims for damages from those reselling the devices. See, Nintendo and the participating companies sent a letter to these resellers back in February requesting that they cease selling the device, but these resellers failed to comply.

Back to the snitching: Nintendo has opened a consumer website to report offenders and retailers hocking the devices. There, folks can fill out a web form with the appropriate information and submit it direct to Nintendo for follow-up. In exchange from Big N, you ask? You don't really expect freebies for doing the right thing, do you? Also, there's nothing.

[Via Andriasang]

JoystiqNintendo tackling pirates again (with the aid of consumer snitches) originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 05 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>babypiratesDSmajiconNintendopiracyr4r4-dsMon, 05 Oct 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Sony and Nintendo increasing effort in fight against piracy]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/sony-and-nintendo-increasing-effort-in-fight-against-piracy/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/sony-and-nintendo-increasing-effort-in-fight-against-piracy/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/08/31/sony-and-nintendo-increasing-effort-in-fight-against-piracy/#comments Though Nintendo already has a pretty solid system in place for combating piracy -- the persistent threat that Reggie Fils-Aime will crush any software buccaneers between his mighty jaws -- the company recently increased its piracy-preventing ranks. Neil Boyd was recently appointed European anti-piracy counsel for the company. Boyd, along with a pair of Nintendo's legal advisors, will "take action against criminals who are making money out of the infringement of games developers' copyright," according to Nintendo anti-piracy director Jodi Daugherty.

Sony's also increasing its piracy prevention efforts, albeit through more technological means. The PSP Go will contain a non-removable internal battery, which keeps would-be hackers from implementing the popular, homebrew-enabled Pandora battery. Also, we hear the PSP Go's boot-up screen displays a pouty, doe-eyed Jack Tretton that's said to strike crippling pangs of guilt into anyone who tries to conduct dubious dealings on the handheld. Consider PSPiracy beaten, friends.

JoystiqSony and Nintendo increasing effort in fight against piracy originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 31 Aug 2009 19:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSdsieuropeillegalNintendopandorapiracypiratespsp-goMon, 31 Aug 2009 19:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Fake Dragon Quest IX ROM punishes overeager pirates]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/08/fake-dragon-quest-ix-rom-punishes-overeager-pirates/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/08/fake-dragon-quest-ix-rom-punishes-overeager-pirates/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/07/08/fake-dragon-quest-ix-rom-punishes-overeager-pirates/#commentsOkay, let's get this out of the way right up front: Downloading what you think is a ROM of the Japanese release of Dragon Quest IX, days before it even comes out, is not cool. It turns out that it will probably also end up being hazardous to your DS.

DS Scene reports that a file going around, labeled "Dragon Quest IX JPN DSi Enhanced NDS iND," is actually not Dragon Quest IX at all, but rather a malicious program that can overwrite a DS's firmware and render systems unusable. The program is disguised as a hentai slideshow called "DS Owata," which is itself disguised as Dragon Quest IX.

Our advice in this case is to do your very best not to be a pirate and just buy the thing when you can. Square Enix booby-traps its legitimate games against piracy anyway.

JoystiqFake Dragon Quest IX ROM punishes overeager pirates originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 08 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DQ9Dragon-QuestDragon-Quest-9-Sentinels-of-the-Starry-Skiesdragon-quest-ixJRPGLevel-5Nintendopiracyrpgsquare-enixWed, 08 Jul 2009 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo convinces eBay and Amazon to ban DS flashcarts]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/22/nintendo-convinces-ebay-and-amazon-to-ban-ds-flashcarts/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/22/nintendo-convinces-ebay-and-amazon-to-ban-ds-flashcarts/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/22/nintendo-convinces-ebay-and-amazon-to-ban-ds-flashcarts/#commentsNintendo has announced that it has reached an agreement with Amazon and eBay through which the shopping sites will prohibit the sale of the R4 and other DS flashcarts.

"Nintendo is pleased with the co-operation it has received from both eBay and Amazon to prevent the sales of game copying devices," Nintendo's global head of anti-piracy, Jodie Daughtery told MCV. eBay has actually pulled auctions for copying devices for years (presumably as an "item encouraging illegal activity), so if there is a policy update, it involves even more vigilant policing of auctions.

Amazon UK games director Chris Poad told MCV that Amazon has a "notice and take down" process for its third-party Marketplace. "So where a third party believes that their IP has been infringed, they can highlight it and we can take it down. This is what happened in the case of the R4."

Now Nintendo just has the rest of the Internet to deal with in its efforts to curtail DS piracy (and, as an extremely unfortunate side effect, homebrew).

JoystiqNintendo convinces eBay and Amazon to ban DS flashcarts originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 22 May 2009 12:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>amazonDSebayflashcarthomebrewNintendopiracyr4Fri, 22 May 2009 12:30:00 EST<![CDATA[DS flash carts a form of 'information terrorism,' says Japanese trade group]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/20/ds-flash-carts-a-form-of-information-terrorism-says-japanese/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/20/ds-flash-carts-a-form-of-information-terrorism-says-japanese/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/20/ds-flash-carts-a-form-of-information-terrorism-says-japanese/#commentsJapan's Association of Copyright for Computer Software president Yutaka Kubota expressed to Famitsu grave concerns about the proliferation and use of Nintendo DS flash cart devices, such as the R4DS.

Referring to the volume of illegally downloaded DS software, Kubota remarked, "It's not a matter of numbers anymore," adding, "The fact is that you can download any Nintendo DS game as much as you want, so there's no way to even calculate the damage. This is an issue that affects our national interests, and personally, I see it as a form of information terrorism that is crushing Japan's industry."

In the interview translated by 1UP, Kubota called on the magazine's readers to stand firm against piracy, saying, "I want them to be aware that unless we do something, nobody will be able to make the games they love to play. Not only will gamers wanting to play new games not be able to play anything, but people who want to join the game industry in the future will have their dreams trampled upon."

Japan's laws do not currently forbid the purchase of devices like the R4, nor the downloading of commercial software for use with them. A new copyright bill under review would make it illegal to download copyrighted media, but doesn't expressly give authorities the right to arrest offenders.

JoystiqDS flash carts a form of 'information terrorism,' says Japanese trade group originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 20 May 2009 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>association-of-copyright-for-computer-softwarecopyrightDSflash-cartjapanlawNintendopiracyr4Wed, 20 May 2009 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Metaforic unveils new anti-copying measures for DS games]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/13/metaforic-unveils-new-anti-copying-measures-for-ds-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/13/metaforic-unveils-new-anti-copying-measures-for-ds-games/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/05/13/metaforic-unveils-new-anti-copying-measures-for-ds-games/#commentsMetaforic's Andrew Mclennan, a former game developer frustrated by piracy, spoke to Gamasutra about a new technology his company has created to reduce copying of DS games. Nintendo's tactic so far has been to try to stop the sale of the R4 flashcart in Japan and other countries, but the company is now working with Metaforic to attack the problem from a different angle.

Metaforic's MetaFortress technology, to be used in games by Nintendo and six other publishers starting this year, uses code stored in the actual game that detects the patching used by flashcarts, and then disables the ROM. "We take any DS game and inject a security scheme into the game itself," Mclennan told Gamasutra. "It turns each game into its own security system. Every time we apply it to a different game, it's a different security system."

Though he admits that the software could be hackable eventually, it would require a separate effort for each individual game ROM. "We add so much security to it that it will take a very long time to hack." Mclennan claims that even flashcart firmware patches will be unable to neutralize MetaFortress, though he didn't specify why.

Though Mclennan thinks flashcarts should be illegal, he "sympathizes" with the homebrew community. It wasn't his goal, but disabling flashcart-based piracy at the software level obviates the need for anti-flashcart legislation, which could be good news for homebrew fans.

JoystiqMetaforic unveils new anti-copying measures for DS games originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 13 May 2009 20:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>copyingDSmetaforicNintendopiracyr4Wed, 13 May 2009 20:30:00 EST<![CDATA[UK executes largest ever seizure of game copying devices]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/09/uk-executes-largest-ever-seizure-of-game-copying-devices/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/09/uk-executes-largest-ever-seizure-of-game-copying-devices/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/03/09/uk-executes-largest-ever-seizure-of-game-copying-devices/#comments
Nefarious game thieves may find it just a bit harder to feed their habit in the UK: Investigators just conducted the largest seizure of copying devices in the area's history. After discovering large numbers of DS devices being imported into the country, the Entertainment and Leisure Software Publishers Association shut down the operation, which included "a fully operational production line" and a history which indicated it was worth hundreds of thousands of pounds.

Sorry about the tough break, crooks. Looks like you'll have to buy your copy of Jelly Belly Ballistic Beans at a store, just like the rest of us.

JoystiqUK executes largest ever seizure of game copying devices originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 09 Mar 2009 10:47:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSelspaNintendonintendo-dspiracyMon, 09 Mar 2009 10:47:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo asks for help against biggest piracy offenders]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/25/nintendo-asks-for-help-against-biggest-piracy-offenders/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/25/nintendo-asks-for-help-against-biggest-piracy-offenders/http://www.joystiq.com/2009/02/25/nintendo-asks-for-help-against-biggest-piracy-offenders/#comments
How do you know when your corporation might have become just a touch too rich and powerful? Well, calling out entire countries should set off a few warning bells. Nintendo has just sent out a release detailing exactly which countries it's got a bone to pick with and why.

The company's beef is piracy, which it says the U.S. needs to do a better job battling in China, Korea, Brazil, Mexico, Spain and Paraguay. Check out the full list of offenses after the break. As always, we remind Nintendo that the battle against piracy has to begin and end on the High Seas. Cut off their citrus supply and you'll be stuffing them in scurvy crates and shipping them back to Neverland before you can say Davy Jones' Locker.

Continue reading Nintendo asks for help against biggest piracy offenders

JoystiqNintendo asks for help against biggest piracy offenders originally appeared on Joystiq on Wed, 25 Feb 2009 10:35:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>babypiratesnintendopiracypiratesWed, 25 Feb 2009 10:35:00 EST<![CDATA[ELSPA joins in fight against R4 copying device]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/08/elspa-joins-in-fight-against-r4-copying-device/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/08/elspa-joins-in-fight-against-r4-copying-device/http://www.joystiq.com/2008/02/08/elspa-joins-in-fight-against-r4-copying-device/#commentsFiled under: ,

We already know that Nintendo alone can't smash all the R4 devices that allow for easy downloading and piracy of DS games. But could the aid of Europe's ELSPA help Nintendo complete its total smashing plan? Probably not, but that hasn't stopped the European trade organization from lending its help to Nintendo in battling the widely available device.

How exactly they'll help isn't yet clear, though. In a cryptically vague statement to MCV, ELSPA said they were "evaluating the R4 game copying device" and "working closely with [Nintendo] to consider the next step in the UK." While that statement doesn't reveal any concrete plans, it also doesn't rule out any potential "next step." S.W.A.T. team raids, tanks in the streets, nuclear strikes --they're all potential piracy-battling strategies that aren't eliminated by this statement. Pirates, start digging your fallout shelters ... NOW!

JoystiqELSPA joins in fight against R4 copying device originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 08 Feb 2008 11:10:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSELSPANintendopiracypirateR4R4DSFri, 08 Feb 2008 11:10:00 EST<![CDATA[DS gets downloadable content with official DSVision flash card peripheral]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/03/ds-gets-downloadable-content-with-dsvision-flash-card-peripheral/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/03/ds-gets-downloadable-content-with-dsvision-flash-card-peripheral/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/12/03/ds-gets-downloadable-content-with-dsvision-flash-card-peripheral/#commentsFiled under: ,


Piracy ahoy! AM3 and Dai Nippon Printing have partnered up to release the DSVision digital content platform for the Nintendo DS in Japan. The device -- which is officially licensed by Nintendo -- features a MicroSD flash card and a standard-sized DS card adapter. Users will be able to download movies, music, books, and manga from the DSVision website, and download the content onto the MicroSD card for portable viewing/listening.

Of course, we're more intrigued by the device's ability to put other content on the DS. Piracy? Who said anything about piracy? The DSVision could do a lot to mainstream the DS's homebrew development community, especially with its official endorsement from Nintendo.

DSVision is due for release in Japan this January, at a suggested retail price of ¥3,980 (or approximately $37 USD). The online digital content store isn't due to open until March. We smell a hot import item...

[Via Engadget]

Update: Added that this is a Nintendo-licensed peripheral. Thanks, Crono & Hakobus

JoystiqDS gets downloadable content with official DSVision flash card peripheral originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 03 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>am3dlcdsdsvisionnintendopiracyMon, 03 Dec 2007 08:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo, Chinese government hunts down pirates]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/22/nintendo-chinese-government-hunts-down-pirates/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/22/nintendo-chinese-government-hunts-down-pirates/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/10/22/nintendo-chinese-government-hunts-down-pirates/#commentsFiled under: ,

Nintendo doesn't get along well with pirates. Maybe they don't like peg legs. Maybe scurvy gives them the creeps. Perhaps, a problem with parrots? Whatever the case may be, let it be known if you're found producing mod chips or game copying devices, Nintendo will raise anchor, drops the sails, and charge at you full speed ahead in a game of aquatic chicken ... and they don't blink (because a corporate entity doesn't have eyes).

Playing the Governor Alexander Spotswood to Supreme Factory's Blackbeard (read some history, damn it!), Nintendo "requested" the Chinese High Court (assuming the role of Lieutenant Robert Maynard) to stop a "global distribution operative involving game copying devices and modification chips." The court raided Supreme Factory, collecting over "10,000 game copying devices and mod chips." Nintendo joined forces with the US Government back in April in an attempt to help curb piracy in China. Guess that's working out well for them.

JoystiqNintendo, Chinese government hunts down pirates originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 22 Oct 2007 23:06:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>DSHongKongNintendoPiracyWiiMon, 22 Oct 2007 23:06:00 EST<![CDATA[Counterfeiter ordered to pay Nintendo 2.5 million]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/counterfeiter-ordered-to-pay-nintendo-2-5-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/counterfeiter-ordered-to-pay-nintendo-2-5-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/counterfeiter-ordered-to-pay-nintendo-2-5-million/#commentsFiled under: ,

A Uruguayan Civil Court Judge recently ordered a major counterfeiter of Nintendo games to pay the company 2.5 million U.S. dollars in damages and legal expenses. We're not talking about a few downloaded ROMs or flash carts packed with emulators. The defender and three of his related corporations were deemed responsible for the sale of tens of thousands of counterfeit Nintendo games.

Counterfeiting on this scale hurts everyone. In China alone, piracy accounted for $762 million in stolen booty last year, which is no small sum of cash. It also makes baby kittens cry. People who make kitties cry should lose large amounts of money.

JoystiqCounterfeiter ordered to pay Nintendo 2.5 million originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Jul 2007 19:20:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>businesscounterfeitcourtlegalnintendopiracyuruguayThu, 05 Jul 2007 19:20:00 EST<![CDATA[Counterfeiter ordered to pay 2.5 million]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/counterfeiter-ordered-to-pay-2-5-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/counterfeiter-ordered-to-pay-2-5-million/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/07/05/counterfeiter-ordered-to-pay-2-5-million/#commentsFiled under:

We imagine there is also another option, one that tasks the guilty party with working for a certain Tom Nook, delivering packages and performing other such menial tasks for the rest of their life. That's probably how long it would take to pay off such a debt as huge as this (wonder what the exchange rate on Bells are?).

In all seriousness, though, those responsible should be paying out the nose, as the dummy corporations the defendants were responsible for sold tens of thousands of counterfeit Nintendo games. While the Uruguayan Civil Court has dispensed some justice, the Philippines still have a lot of trouble. Not to mention how bad it is in China and other areas.

Nintendo 1, Piracy 472,143,886.

JoystiqCounterfeiter ordered to pay 2.5 million originally appeared on Joystiq on Thu, 05 Jul 2007 18:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>nintendonintendowiipiracypirateswiiThu, 05 Jul 2007 18:45:00 EST<![CDATA[Toys "ARRRR" Us: Piracy in the Philippines]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/24/toys-arrrr-us-piracy-in-the-philippines/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/24/toys-arrrr-us-piracy-in-the-philippines/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/06/24/toys-arrrr-us-piracy-in-the-philippines/#commentsFiled under: ,

Pirated video games in the Philippines is certainly nothing new -- we remember seeing counterfeit Famicom carts being sold there back in the day -- but its ubiquity in the Southeast Asian country is startling. GameOPS' John Phillips Bengero sent us some pictures to illustrate just how dire the DS and GBA bootlegging situation is. Far from being confined to Manila's seedier markets, these shots were taken at a recently opened Toys "R" Us branch in TriNoma mall! Bring a pocket full of pesos past the post break for the photos.

Continue reading Toys "ARRRR" Us: Piracy in the Philippines

JoystiqToys "ARRRR" Us: Piracy in the Philippines originally appeared on Joystiq on Sun, 24 Jun 2007 12:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dsnintendonintendo dsNintendoDsphilippinephilippinespiracypiratepiratesromromstoys r usToysRUsSun, 24 Jun 2007 12:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Pirates rule the Philippine seas]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/14/pirates-rule-the-philippine-seas/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/14/pirates-rule-the-philippine-seas/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/14/pirates-rule-the-philippine-seas/#commentsFiled under: ,



After a tour of the country last year, Indian President Abdul Kalam described the Philippines as a "smiling republic." Wherever he went, Kalam was met with smiling faces. Well, you'd be grinning too if you saw how cheap their games are. Thanks to the black market, popular Nintendo Wii titles are priced as low as $5 in some shops. Piracy has become so widespread in the Southeast Asian country, even Sony admits that most of its Playstation software sold in the Philippines are bootlegged copies.

Filipino site GameOPS found that many stores also offer modchip installations. For about $51, you can have your system hacked to play these counterfeit games at the local mall or market. Furthermore, some shops advertise console bundles, selling imported and modded US Wiis with five copied games of your choice for around $450. Similar deals for chipped Xbox 360 systems with 10 pirated titles are actually cheaper at $388.

With such a high level of piracy already in place, Nintendo will have a lot to work against when -- or if -- it decides to finally launch the Wii in the Philippines.

JoystiqPirates rule the Philippine seas originally appeared on Joystiq on Mon, 14 May 2007 20:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bootlegbundlebundleschipfilipinomodmodchipmodchipsmodsnintendonintendowiiphilippinephilippinespiracypiratepirateswiiMon, 14 May 2007 20:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo Korea set to take legal action on pirates]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/04/nintendo-korea-set-to-take-legal-action-on-pirates/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/04/nintendo-korea-set-to-take-legal-action-on-pirates/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/05/04/nintendo-korea-set-to-take-legal-action-on-pirates/#commentsFiled under:


Nintendo's piracy woes continue as the latest news from Korea, which you may know "officially" received the DS back in January, shows that piracy fanatics have found ways to copy game cartridges with a special machine, posting the titles on the internet and selling them on discs. Nintendo announced that it plans on taking full legal action on anyone caught pirating its games, hopefully putting some scare into the folks responsible over there. Of course, if history is any indication, this will not be the case and those pirates will continue to do what they do.

See also: Yarrr (or, how to spot pirated games)

JoystiqNintendo Korea set to take legal action on pirates originally appeared on Joystiq on Fri, 04 May 2007 17:00:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dslitekorealitenintendonintendodsnintendodslitepiracyFri, 04 May 2007 17:00:00 EST<![CDATA[Nintendo joins US govt's crusade against piracy in China]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/10/nintendo-joins-us-govts-crusade-against-piracy-in-china/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/10/nintendo-joins-us-govts-crusade-against-piracy-in-china/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/10/nintendo-joins-us-govts-crusade-against-piracy-in-china/#commentsFiled under: , , ,

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Nintendo has pledged its support of a US-led stance against China's burgeoning military budget, er, counterfeit video games market, according to a company presser today. With few government restrictions holding them back, pirates plundered an estimated $762 million worth of booty in China last year. And these scallywags aren't your typical kid brothers burning DVDs in the basement and exchanging them for lunch allowances in the cafeteria. No, this is well-organized crime, which has accounted for the more than 7.7 million counterfeit gaming products seized during the past four years -- and only a single criminal prosecution brought against the more than 300 Chinese factories and retailers dealing in this illicit trade. To avoid punishment, an operation need only keep its pirated stock below a certain threshold and do away with bookkeeping.

The rampant piracy, which affects hundreds of companies in the games industry, has prompted the US Trade Representative to seek formal consultations with China regarding the government's failure to meet World Trade Organization obligations concerning intellectual property protection. Nintendo has chipped in, providing evidence of piracy in China and other countries during the annual "Special 301" investigation. In turn, the US Trade Representative will use this evidence to push China to comply with global standards. "Progress must be made," urged an unusually stern Nintendo.

JoystiqNintendo joins US govt's crusade against piracy in China originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Apr 2007 14:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinacounterfeitgovernmentillegalnintendopiracypiratewtoTue, 10 Apr 2007 14:59:00 EST<![CDATA[U.S. government frowns at Chinese counterfeiting]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/10/u-s-government-frowns-at-chinese-counterfeiting/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/10/u-s-government-frowns-at-chinese-counterfeiting/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/10/u-s-government-frowns-at-chinese-counterfeiting/#commentsFiled under:

Nintendo sent us out a press release today, commending the U.S. government for its strong stance against piracy in the Chinese market. Nintendo has said that they strongly support the U.S. Trade Representative who is currently seeking consultation with the Chinese government, who have lately been in breach of the World Trade Organization obligations pertaining to intellectual property protection and enforcement. China has been responsible for over 7.7 million counterfeit video game products over the last four years, as 300 factories and retailers have been seized by the local authorities during those years.

"Nintendo will continue to work with the U.S. government while aggressively pursuing counterfeit Nintendo products in China," comments Jodi Daugherty, Nintendo of America's senior director of anti-piracy. She goes on to say "We're pleased the U.S. government is pushing China to comply with its trade commitments in an effort to protect the lifeblood of the copyright and trademark industries." In 2006, estimated losses to Nintendo, as well as others in the gaming industry, reached the $762 million mark.

See also: The NCC allows the Wii in

JoystiqU.S. government frowns at Chinese counterfeiting originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 10 Apr 2007 14:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chinanintendonintendowiipiracywiiTue, 10 Apr 2007 14:55:00 EST<![CDATA[Wii piracy in China is serious business]]>http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/03/wii-piracy-in-china-is-serious-business/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/03/wii-piracy-in-china-is-serious-business/http://www.joystiq.com/2007/04/03/wii-piracy-in-china-is-serious-business/#commentsFiled under:

And we're not being sarcastic at all.

Apparently, when the Wii was introduced into the market in Shanghai, it retailed for a price of 3,000 Yuan, which comes to about $388 USD (we could be wrong, apparently there are different types of Yuan over there). Shortly after that, the consoles started showing up with modchips built into them and Japanese consoles imported into the region dropped their price to 2,100 Yuan, which is about $271 USD. Even worse, pirated games could be found VERY cheap over there, only costing 10 Yuan, or little over $1 USD.

The price for a console over there has shot back up to 3,000 Yuan again, which is likely due to the demand for the system being skyrocketed by the cheap solutions the piracy scene offers over there. This, of course, will definitely attract Nintendo's attention, hopefully causing the company to take action. But really, what action can they take?

See also: Wii circuitry changed to thwart modchips?

JoystiqWii piracy in China is serious business originally appeared on Joystiq on Tue, 03 Apr 2007 13:45:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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