Viewing Single Trivia
subdirectory_arrow_right Pokémon FireRed Version (Game)
▲
3
▼
Shortly after the game's release, a screenshot started circulating online depicting the Seagallop ferryman in Vermilion City telling the player: "By the way: if you like this game, buy it or die." Those who posted the screenshot claimed that it was a hidden message which was only triggered if the game detected that it was running a pirated copy. This claim appeared to be further corroborated by people claiming that they had encountered the message themselves when playing the game with unofficial Game Boy Advance emulators or when hacking legitimate cartridges with cheat devices, and attracted further popularity after being disseminated by various gaming YouTubers.
However, while the screenshot was not photoshopped, the claim that it was an anti-piracy measure was not true. Rather, the text was added into the game's code by an anonymous individual who distributed a ROM of it online; the claim that it was an anti-piracy feature was most likely used by the individual to circumvent ROM distribution sites' restrictions on modified games. This explains why anecdotal reports of encountering the text were so much higher than what would be expected from a complete hoax, as well as why the text is absent when examining an unaltered ROM of the game in a hex editor.
However, while the screenshot was not photoshopped, the claim that it was an anti-piracy measure was not true. Rather, the text was added into the game's code by an anonymous individual who distributed a ROM of it online; the claim that it was an anti-piracy feature was most likely used by the individual to circumvent ROM distribution sites' restrictions on modified games. This explains why anecdotal reports of encountering the text were so much higher than what would be expected from a complete hoax, as well as why the text is absent when examining an unaltered ROM of the game in a hex editor.
DidYouKnowGaming video which mentions the rumor (before it was debunked):
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HsxuGMWnXM
YouTube video by Tech Rules debunking the rumor:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XjHZ-V4ooA&t=604s
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4HsxuGMWnXM
YouTube video by Tech Rules debunking the rumor:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0XjHZ-V4ooA&t=604s
Comments (0)
You must be logged in to post comments.
Related Games
Pokémon Sapphire Version
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Red Rescue Team
Pokémon Pearl Version
Pokémon Puzzle League
Pokémon Home
Pokémon Shining Pearl
Super Smash Bros. Brawl
Pokémon: Let's Go, Eevee!
Pokémon White Version
Pokémon Yellow Version: Special Pikachu Edition
Pokémon Conquest
Pokémon Gold Version
Pokémon Platinum Version
Pokémon Red Version
Pokémon Stadium 2
Pokémon FireRed Version
Pocket Monsters Stadium
Pokémon Art Academy
Hey You, Pikachu!
Pokémon Pokédex Organizer
Super Smash Bros. Melee
Pokémon White Version 2
Pokémon Blue Version
Pokémon Emerald Version
Pokémon Diamond Version
Pokémon Picross
Pokémon Picross
Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Pokémon Black Version
Super Smash Bros. for Wii U
Pokémon Sword
Pokémon HeartGold Version
Pokémon Rumble Blast
PokéPark Wii: Pikachu's Adventure
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Blue Rescue Team
Pokémon Puzzle Challenge
Pokémon Y
Pokémon Snap
Super Smash Bros.
Pokémon Omega Ruby
Pokémon Ultra Sun
Pokémon Ultra Moon
Pokémon Legends: Arceus
Pokémon Pinball
Pokémon Sleep
Pokémon Mystery Dungeon: Gates to Infinity
Pokémon X
Pokémon Ruby Version
Pokémon Scarlet
Pokémon Black Version 2