Japan outlaws console modding

[Alienfish]

I haven't been paying attention to Splatoon stuff, are you saying trying to avoid hackers in those games is difficult?

No, I meant in recent regard towards people asking about costumes and the only way was with the Japanese game through CoroCoro magazine.

 

[Sinmenon]

Five years for modding a console? Harsh for the domestic user, but there are cases that might just work.
As pointed out, in order to mod a console you need to buy it from an official retailer but the point of modding a console is, in most case, to break the protection so they can get illegal copies of the games – like downloading them from a site and then connecting an external drive to play these games. I’ve seen Ads that offer to mod your console, and it usually involves sending it either to Japan (or some other place, but I’ve seen some mentioning Japan) and getting either a brand new console already modded or your console back. I think these people are the target of this law. So, whilst some people just want to play homebrews there is also this darker side.

About the cheat editors, like AR, I admit that sometimes I enjoy messing around with my games and see the possibilities. I also used to rip sprites, so the built-in cheating options in emulators saved my bacon more than once. Whoever, I can understand that some people might use cheat devices to cheat in official tournaments, like Pokemon. There’s also some other things that are considered cheat, like having a auto-aim tool in Overwatch. Not only this disrupts the game, but some of these competitions have real money involved and many professional gamers were already involved in controversy. It also involves way too many people, like teams, sponsors and even people who bets on these teams.

However, I vehemently disagree with criminalizing the distribution, selling and auctioning serial codes and product keys. It is your key, you bought it fair and square, and you should be free to do whatever you want with it. You are not hurting anyone's intellectual propriety, as you obtained it by legal means and isn't tampering with it, not to mention in many cases it can't be activated more than once.
It falls on the same old big companies vs the preowned games. EA tried to pull a dumb move that once you get a used game you had to buy a new licence to play it -- almost effectively buying a new game. In Japan, there's too many stores that sells pre-owned physical copies of the games it is part of their culture so it would be very hard to do that so they probably went for the next best thing.

 

[Alienfish]

To add further, if Nintendo actually meant to never release certain things in certain areas and basically "encouraging" modding the game, then it's obviously not released as it's intended to be in my opinion. I know there is trade but then again unless you know people in Japan that can provide you each and every event or if you can buy a region-specific console, everything just because $$$ then it's just really stupid and they wonder why people mod and hack... And even if they are that different branches they should be able to provide some kind of organization when it comes to events. Just release them with some magazine/wi-fi or whatever here as well. I mean yeah there have probably been US or maybe even EU exclusive events of sorts but yeahhh honestly.

I dont know what caused this exactly and why Japan but if people are modding that hard something is obviously wrong and Nintendo and whatever companies need to get better on most things it seems.

And there are probably more heavier example but I thought this was pretty speaking since of course people edit and mod if they can't get it the natural way or as the good guys want it to be.

Also yeah, I don't think other games modding for cheating like the auto-thing mentioned above but okay I want a Pok?mon I can't get any other way? Yeah. I agree it's wrong to do it just to make you look skilful but that's another story. Criminalizing like they did now is too harsh, indeed why should we buy it and then expect us to "behave" lol.

And yeah as long as you don't harm the game like doing legit Pok?mon hacks and don't ruin for other I think you're free to do what you want.

 

[Sinmenon]

I agree with you: as long you don't harm anyone with it and keep it to yourself and maybe your friends I say "go on and hack to your hearts' content!". Or mod so you can play your homebrews. Or ask your friends living abroad to get you limited versions or magazine-exclusive codes. But the instant you use it for profit --- to win a tournament with prize money, or to get illegitimate copies of a paid game then the companies are right in pressing charges.

 

[Reginald Fairfield]

No, I meant in recent regard towards people asking about costumes and the only way was with the Japanese game through CoroCoro magazine.

I'll have to read this thread when I'm more awake.

 

[RedTropicalPeachyFish]

In Japan, there's too many stores that sells pre-owned physical copies of the games it is part of their culture so it would be very hard to do that so they probably went for the next best thing.

But the instant you use it for profit --- to win a tournament with prize money, or to get illegitimate copies of a paid game then the companies are right in pressing charges.

as you don't harm the game like doing legit Pok?mon hacks and don't ruin for other I think you're free to do what you want.

As I read opinions, I get stronger impression that this is after all a matter of respect, from both sides. It's like a cat spinning to chase after its own tail; While I admit it's subtle to prohibit selling codes and whatnot despite it being your property which you paid for legitimately, the thing is, there really isn't an actual mean, to prevent those bad cases - using hack for profit, or indirectly ruining others' game play by hack like an said instance like tournaments.

indeed why should we buy it and then expect us to "behave"

since of course people edit and mod if they can't get it the natural way

This logic, should apply to the other side of the parties as well though, if you're gonna insist that. When you just ignore the claim of the other side of parties - what they want/don't want you do, you couldn't expect them to be "nice" to you either.

everything just because $$$

And even if they are that different branches they should be able to provide some kind of organization when it comes to events.

While it's true that "should be" is ideal, we're living a real world, in which there always are things that draw a line that divides the scenario into possible and impossible. This "should be able to" is technically impossible, as they're corporation. It's their duty to profit their stock owners. To organize holding that kind of global even will cost them huge money. So, the demand that's said there is, to throw in huge money like volunteer, which is impossible when they're corporation. Demanding something that is technically impossible doesn't look really right. You care about your money, then they care about their money as well, it's natural.

I know there is trade but then again unless you know people in Japan that can provide you each and every event

but okay I want a Pok?mon I can't get any other way?

I have a friend who lives in the States. He was hired as a staff of those physical Nintendo Pokemon tournament events, first as staff in Cali, next in all US region. He never hacks and pour so much efforts ( and time ofc ) into breeding in detail customized shinies. And when it's the pokemon exclusively obtainable in Japan, he makes a trade with me - he does me a favor - something I can't do due to not living in the US, and I go places to get him the desired pokemon in return. He has not just me but a lot of Japanese friends, he pioneered those relationships by putting efforts to find the partners in Pokemon communities. "unless you know people"? It's not that you "know people" from the first with doing nothing. So. There obviously is "any other way" than hacking the game.

 

[Reginald Fairfield]

It is also possible we could be missing out on some event distributions because the official people don't see the point when people are hacking it in.

 

[RedTropicalPeachyFish]

It is also possible we could be missing out on some event distributions because the official people don't see the point when people are hacking it in.

^ True.

 

[Alienfish]

It is also possible we could be missing out on some event distributions because the official people don't see the point when people are hacking it in.

That's bad thinking from their side if they want us to get it the good way, lol. Or they can just let us hack then but don't come later and complain we do it, lol.

Also I assume the majority of us aren't hired by Nintendo and have a life that doesn't include sit and breed customized shinies either but requiring us to do other work. It's great you have that kind of friends and relations but yeah honestly my annoying feelings are just Nintendo when they obviously only care about one or two regions sometimes.

 

[Reginald Fairfield]

That's bad thinking from their side if they want us to get it the good way, lol. Or they can just let us hack then but don't come later and complain we do it, lol.

Also I assume the majority of us aren't hired by Nintendo and have a life that doesn't include sit and breed customized shinies either but requiring us to do other work. It's great you have that kind of friends and relations but yeah honestly my annoying feelings are just Nintendo when they obviously only care about one or two regions sometimes.

I don't have any way of contacting anyone I used to trust trading with. It really doesn't take long to breed a usable penta-perfect with egg moves. Also, shinies used to be more special.

 

[RedTropicalPeachyFish]

That's bad thinking from their side if they want us to get it the good way, lol. Or they can just let us hack then but don't come later and complain we do it, lol.

I don't think so. When something's going bad, it usually does't solve unless efforts from both parties to try and understand the other.

Also I assume the majority of us aren't hired by Nintendo and have a life that doesn't include sit and breed customized shinies either but requiring us to do other work. It's great you have that kind of friends and relations

Ah. Since it sounds as though he's doing nothing but just sitting and breeding/hatching, I'll speak for him. It's not because he can afford by breeding, he can't afford only by this job and has some more other works too. Plus he has college. Way busier than good amount of people who's doing game all the day. The order is opposite actually. Because his effort of legit play was great, it attracted attention of official people at events then hired.

but yeah honestly my annoying feelings are just Nintendo when they obviously only care about one or two regions sometimes.

It's not "only care about". It's just a matter of possible or impossible, I think.

- - - Post Merge - - -

Also, shinies used to be more special.

^ Exactly.

 

[Alienfish]

Well of course it requires from both sides but if they just can release it everywhere and people don't need to hack - basic. I can we can agree on disagree though. @reginald I did not direct that at you btw re your quote.

 

[RedTropicalPeachyFish]

I can we can agree on disagree though.

Hahahaha right!
Though I wouldn't think people don't need to hack or stop hacking in the situation like that, I love seeing you grumbling about it. Honestly.

 

[Alienfish]

Hahahaha right!
Though I wouldn't think people don't need to hack or stop hacking in the situation like that, I love seeing you grumbling about it. Honestly.

Yeah, it always neat to discuss with people who can do it on a mature level and not just post on their own without listening to others. And true ahaha.

I do agree people shouldn't hack like auto-sight, shoot, click etc. as for multiplayer games, that I do agree is bad. If it's for the good as with sharing event 'mons then I don't care as long as they don't ruin for others like making the GTS disconnect.

 

[Bread Kennedys]

"So what'cha in for?"
"I killed a man. And you?"
"I modded my GameCube."
"...Sick ****..."

 

[Alienfish]

^^lol sad but probably true if/when they catch people doing this

(also should have said i think we can agree on disagreeing **** my keyboard)

 

[Tao]

Ahhh, more stupid laws.

I understand where it's coming from in regard to piracy, but it's also going to effect people that have already bought their consoles and actually buy legit games as well...In fact, it's probably going to harm them more since those people are probably the ones less likely to do something illegal. Yano, the people who regardless of this law would have already given 'publisher' all the money they wanted for the product anyway. MAYBE in regard to online play I can see what they're getting at, things such as hacked Pokemon or straight up cheats in competitive multiplayer games, but even then making it illegal seems friggin' stupid.


All the obvious stuff will have been said and I'll stay off the subject of things that are 'grey area'/actually illegal even if it harms literally nobody...But what about, say, installing a HDMI output on your Gamecube? Who's that harming exactly? Nintendo wouldn't get any money out of that since everything Gamecube related is only sold second hand these days and they pretty much don't offer Gamecube games anywhere else (other than Luigi's Mansion 3DS...Can't think of anything else). They either already have your money if you bought one "back in the day" or aren't getting your money since you bought it on eBay.
BUT, adding a HDMI counts as a console mod. Fine and/or prison sentence for wanting a convenient way to connect the console to modern TV's on a console that otherwise has outdated output connections.

I imagine those who like to play homebrew titles on official hardware could be out of luck too, at least with disc based systems that often needed a console mod for unlicensed games. Again, how are the console manufacturers hurt by this?


Regardless, piracy is already illegal and it's done pretty much nothing to stop it. I can't imagine this doing much in Japan, I highly doubt the law will leave Japan.

Damn, gaming is weird...It's the only industry that tries to tell us what to do with products we've bought. I don't get HOBBS sending me a cease and desist notice for modifying a kettle so it boils quicker, nor do I get Image complaining that I scanned the comics I bought so I could read them on my phone. Gaming though, especially Japan? "You will use/play this how we tell you to, or so help me, POW! RIGHT IN THE KISSER!".

 

[RedTropicalPeachyFish]

But what about, say, installing a HDMI output on your Gamecube? Who's that harming exactly?

When I read this, I got suspicious if the cases like that are really within the range of punishment. 'Cause, if that was the case, I'd wonder where their base is coming from/how they're making it explicit. So, I researched and read actual documents carefully. Here are the source. -> click1 -> click2

In short, these aren't the case to be punished, actually. The article in OP, what's said in there is incorrect... it looks like that.
These parts :

"Japan?s Unfair Competition Prevention Act had some amendments made to it which were revealed in December 2018 and now prevents people from tampering with consoles to mod them."

If you can read those Japanese document/wiki, you'll see the "people" is directed to those who that involves piracy, not the case like the instance "installing a HDMI output on older console to connect it to modern TV".

"These come with a pre-loaded number of games that many people have expanded on by modding more titles into the devices, but that, too, is now punishable under Japan?s new law."

This punish"able" part is the... origin of big ｆucking misunderstanding, I think.
It's very hard for me to explain this in English, because the BASE concept of this law - 親告罪 which is actually the base part of this time's amendment, only is adopted in Japan, Germany, and Austria. Not in other countries, no not in the US or UK. In short, to file the law suit it needs to be prosecuted by the victim. That is the 親告罪. Even if it's against the law, when the victim doesn't make a prosecution, the case gets denied at the court. Also it gets invalid after 6 month from the point when the victim knows who's the culprit.
Modding the console etc. are the 親告罪 originally. And, amendment of this time is, to change it to be NOT 親告罪 ( 非親告罪 ) when it's under certain conditions, such as obvious piracy and/or distributing broadly while knowing it'll harm the copyright etc. and/or to gain the profit without legal permission of the creator. The article in the link in OP, what it's sayig IS incorrect. Quite strained interpretation.

Though, however.

Damn, gaming is weird...It's the only industry that tries to tell us what to do with products we've bought. I don't get HOBBS sending me a cease and desist notice for modifying a kettle so it boils quicker, nor do I get Image complaining that I scanned the comics I bought so I could read them on my phone. Gaming though, especially Japan?

Kettle ( or any other kitchen items ) is different from game software. Game is industry, yes. But it is also the product of creative work, not like the item that has quite simple role. Need respect, to their rights, and that's where this time's amendment comes in - making the piracy be 非親告罪. Also, this amendment IS NOT specifically meant to apply to gaming, fyi. Like I thought, it's directed to any kind of creative work and its product, including art, music, or secondary product, such as code of specific pokemon etc.

 

[Sinmenon]

So it is pretty much like my assumption: it is targetted to punish pirates who sells illegal copies of the games and not so much the domestic user. Thank you for translating/clarifying it!

And I also agree with you: as much I'm among the vast majority of people who uses the money cheat in The Sims series, there is this sense of accomplishment getting something special the official and legitimate way. Like getting all the archivements of a game, or unlocking that one special character. I used to travel a lot every week, so I had 6 hours in a bus to invest in my favorite handheld games and I got many incredible stuff (and callouses on my fingertips). I've never gotten a shiny, except when I get some random hacked pokemon via wonder trade or that Gamestop Shiny Poipole (I'm not from the USA but it happened I was in there at the time), but I take pride of my carefully breeded pokemon even if I'm a newcomer to the series and might not be impressive to the eyes of a veteran. These little things makes a game more gratifying and increase their replay value imo

I must say I was baffled when I saw people offering to hack ACNL, I can't even imagine how it is done or what the purpose of it.

 

[-Apples-]

I wonder: if hacking games is now illegal in Japan, is exploiting game-breaking glitches (like duping in Animal Crossing) illegal as well? Reason being is that hacking is cheating, and so is glitching.