Key Takeaways
1. Fedor Volkov, a Russian podcaster, believes Nintendo’s limited presence in Russia reduces the risk of legal action against him for sharing details about the Switch 2.
2. Volkov imported a Switch 2 before its official launch, paying about $800 through connections from someone traveling from Dubai.
3. His unboxing video provided key insights into the console’s specifications and a required day-one update to play games.
4. Despite Volkov’s confidence, legal experts warn that underestimating Nintendo’s legal power could be a mistake, referencing past lawsuits the company has pursued in Russia.
5. Nintendo has focused on removing leaks from platforms like YouTube and social media rather than pursuing individual users like Volkov.
Nintendo lawsuits for copyright violations are frequent in many nations. Yet, a Russian podcaster thinks that its influence doesn’t reach his increasingly cut-off country. Kotaku chatted with Fedor Volkov, who bought an imported handheld just nine days before the Switch 2’s launch date.
Unboxing and Insights
In a video where he unboxed the device, the gamer shared some details about the Switch 2’s specifications and settings options. Volkov also mentioned that a day-one update is required to start playing Switch games. This footage provided one of the most thorough looks at the console so far. The podcaster even showed his face at one moment, showing confidence in his reveal.
Sourcing the Console
Using connections, Volkov managed to buy a Switch 2 from someone traveling to Russia from Dubai. He quickly got his hands on the handheld, spending about $800. After Nintendo stopped selling in Russia in 2022, gamers have turned to similar methods to get their hands on consoles and games.
Legal Risks
Volkov feels that, given Nintendo’s minimal presence in Russia, the company doesn’t have the authority or resources to go after him. He also defends his leaks about the Switch 2 by noting that he paid for the console and never agreed to any NDA. Many legal experts might argue, though, that underestimating the company’s power is a mistake. Nintendo has indeed taken legal action against a business in Russia before.
Back in 2022, Nintendo sued KupiVip, a company that ran an online store in Russia. While the specifics are unclear, it’s thought that the shutdown of the business led Nintendo to seek damages. Nevertheless, Volkov doesn’t claim to operate a formal business. It’s uncertain if Nintendo will bother to track him down. For now, it seems easier for the company to ensure that platforms like YouTube and social media promptly take down any Switch 2 leaks.
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