Nintendo has just updated its user agreement with a worrying clause. Modifying, emulating, or hacking its games could now render your console unusable. And this time, it's not an empty threat.
For several years, Nintendo has waged a relentless war against emulation and piracy. The Japanese company fiercely protects its licenses, its consoles, and its ecosystem. Switch users have sometimes been tempted to circumvent the rules to access modified games, use unofficial copies, or even enjoy them on PC and mobile. But this type of practice is now becoming much riskier for players. Nintendo has just significantly modified its user license agreement. The new version now prohibits any attempt to modify, decrypt, or circumvent the protections of Nintendo services. Above all, the company clearly states that in the event of non-compliance, it reserves the right to render a device unusable, partially or completely. This means that a player who installs unauthorized software or uses an emulator could have their Switch remotely blocked, with no possibility of reactivation. This decision also affects systems associated with the account, which could result in restrictions on multiple devices at the same time.
Nintendo tightens its policy and threatens to disable modified consoles
Specifically, the new text prohibits "circumventing protections," "modifying files," or "exploiting services outside their intended use." This applies to both hardware hacks and software used to launch pirated games. Nintendo specifies that the console itself could become unusable without notice. The contract also warns against using unofficial copies of games or services, even if obtained through external channels.
This update comes as the Switch 2 approaches. Nintendo seems to want to secure its environment before the arrival of its next console. The company has recently won several lawsuits, including against a streamer who was fined $17,500 for broadcasting pirated games. In its new policy, the company is no longer content to simply reiterate the law: it is acting directly on the hardware. At the same time, the company also plans to monitor certain uses on Switch, such as voice conversations via GameChat, which could be recorded locally. Suffice it to say that the brand's ecosystem is becoming increasingly locked down.
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