Nintendo Revises User Agreement: A Crackdown on Hacking and Unauthorized Use
Nintendo has recently revised its user agreement, introducing a tougher stance on players who hack their Switch console, run emulators, or engage in any other unauthorized use of the device. The changes were announced via email to existing and new Nintendo Account users, with the updated terms and conditions superseding all previous versions as of May 7.
According to reports from Game File, the revised agreement contains a whopping 100 changes compared to the original version. One significant change is in Section 3, where players are now explicitly prohibited from "leasing, renting, sublicensing, publishing, copying, modifying, adapting, translating, reverse engineering, decompiling or disassembling all or any portion of the Nintendo Account Services without Nintendo's written consent" – unless otherwise permitted by applicable law.
The revised agreement has also been updated in the UK, with players now agreeing that they are not allowed to "perform or transmit any unauthorized copy of Nintendo software." While Nintendo hasn't clarified what "unusable" means, exactly, the wording suggests that the company reserves the right to "brick" your console if it believes you've broken its rules.
The changes in the user agreement reflect some of Nintendo's recent frustrations, including high-profile piracy cases and the upcoming launch of the highly anticipated Nintendo Switch 2. The new console is set to debut on June 5 and has already generated significant interest among gamers, with pre-orders going live on April 24.
Nintendo has also issued a warning to U.S. customers who applied for a Switch 2 pre-order from the My Nintendo Store, stating that release date delivery is not guaranteed due to very high demand. The company's crackdown on piracy and unauthorized use of its console suggests that it will be closely monitoring user activity in the coming months.
In related news, IGN has published an in-depth guide to help gamers navigate the complexities of pre-ordering a Switch 2, including tips on how to secure your console and avoid any potential issues with delivery.