Suspect Sent “Persistent Threats” Targeting Nintendo Live Tokyo 2024 Due To Stress From Playing Game

A few months ago, Nintendo was forced to cancel their Nintendo Live Tokyo 2024 event after receiving “persistent threats” targeting employees and attendees.

Following the arrest of the suspect behind the threats, we now have more information about his motives. According to a report from from Kansai Television News, the 27-year old suspect blamed stress from playing a videogame and frustrations from losing. Although the exact game was not specified, many suspect it was likely Splatoon 3 due to being one of Nintendo’s only competitive games and a key part of Nintendo Live Tokyo 2024.

“I sent the messages because I was stressed by playing the game,” [the suspect] stated. “When I kept losing, I got frustrated.” When [the suspect] was charged in April, it was stated he sent a total of 39 threats via Nintendo’s inquiry form between the months of August and November 2023. [the suspect] was accused of saying, “I’ll make you regret bringing such a shitty game into this world.” He also threatened to “kill everyone involved” and made the claim to “be careful about events that have spectators in attendance.”

In addition, the report specifies that the prosecuting attorney asserted that the suspect caused Nintendo over ¥700 million in damages due to his actions, stating that “the consequences are series. There are no extenuating circumstances for his childish motives”. The prosecution aims to get the suspect jailed for at least one year in prison, with sentencing due for July 24th 2024.

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