RTA in Japan to exclude Nintendo games from upcoming event

RTA in Japan collaborates with Nintendo for future game licensing.

Nintendo Requires Speedrunners In Japan To Obtain Game Permissions

RTA in Japan, the country's leading speedrunning community, announced that no first-party Nintendo games will be included at its upcoming event due to new licensing requirements. Nintendo informed RTA that, because it is a legal entity, it must seek permission to showcase any of its games. This requirement surfaced after RTA became a registered non-profit in 2020, leading Nintendo to consider past usages of its games unauthorized. As a result, RTA plans to apply for individual licenses for future events, marking a significant shift in how speedrunners can play Nintendo titles during showcases.

This development signals a major policy change from Nintendo, which has historically allowed speedrunners to use its games without formal agreements. By tightening these restrictions, Nintendo seeks to control its intellectual property more rigorously. While this may protect the company legally, it risks alienating a vibrant community that has traditionally celebrated its games. The absence of popular titles like Super Mario 64 from events could dampen audience interest and diminish potential charity contributions driven by these competitions. The situation raises profound questions about the relationship between game developers and the player communities that support them.

Highlights

The outcome of this licensing shift will shape future interactions between developers and the gaming community.