Nintendo has filed a lawsuit against a streamer called EveryGameGuru, which it accuses of broadcasting the gameplay of pirated games before their release, as well as providing viewers with access to illegal ROMs and pirated tools. In its lawsuit, the company stated that the defendant live-streamed its own game play on YouTube, Discord, Twitch, TikTok, Trovo, Kick, Vaughn, Dlive, Picarto, Nimo, Facebook, and Loco, often with very little commentary. Apparently, EveryGameGuru has streamed the gameplay of at least 10 different games before their official release date at least 50 times since 2022.
EveryGameGuru allegedly streamed Mario & Luigi: Brotherhood on October 22, 23, 24, 25, and 29, long before its official release on November 7. After Nintendo removed the videos from various platforms, including YouTube, he continued to livestream on Loco and even included a QR code for his handle in the CashApp. He also created new accounts after his old ones were disabled, and Nintendo reported that he sent the company an email saying he had “a thousand channels” and that he “could do it all day.” We found a user with the same name on Loco who was streaming Super Mario Jamboree before it was officially released on October 17 this year.
In addition to these two games, Nintendo listed other games that the defendant played on video before their release date, including The Legends of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom, Paper Mario: The Thousand-Year Door, Mario vs. Donkey Kong, Super Mario RPG, Super Mario Bros. Wonder, Pikmin 4, Splatoon 3, and Mario Strikers: Battle League. Nintendo has also attached screenshots to its lawsuit in which EveryGameGuru links people to pirated tools. One of the screenshots shows a post in which he wrote step-by-step instructions on how to play on illegally downloaded ROMs. He included links to Ryujinx, Yuzu, Suyu, and Sudachi Nintendo Switch emulators, links to websites that distribute game ROMs, and a link to a website where people can get the Switch decryption keys needed to be able to play games on the console. “Capitalism is a cancer,” he wrote in the post in all caps. “My channel is being deleted for posting gameplay videos! Here’s your reward!”
The company is seeking $150,000 in damages for copyright infringement. As noted by 404media, this amount could amount to millions, as Nintendo accuses the defendant of illegally streaming at least 10 games in at least 50 cases.
