Minecraft's Pokemon Mod gets Shut Down

Ages ago, we reported on a Minecraft mod that was impressive both in scope and courage: the Pixelmon Mod, which allowed players to turn Minecraft into a legitimate Pokemon spin-off by allowing you to craft Pokeballs, capture Pokemon, and then train, breed, and battle them against other players. It was a damn impressive feat, made even more impressive by how long it lasted and how large the community grew. But all good things must end, and since this is a fan project using the Pokemon IP, of COURSE it was going to be shut down eventually.

What's most impressive is that it took five years to get this far.

The mod's creator pulled the mod from download sites last week after getting a cease and desist letter from the ol' Pokemon Company and followed that up with a post on the forums about the game's brief but glorious existence.

"With much sadness, but keeping all our fond memories, we must announce that Pixelmon is ending its development. We have had a great time making this mod and creating such a wonderful community but after a request from the Pokemon company we will be shutting our doors. I'm sorry for the disappointment this will cause but let's remember all the great times we had playing Pixelmon, discussing Pokemon, making awesome things inside this mod and everything else that we've done."

Sad, but obviously far from unprecedented. All of Nintendo's big IP's are kept under strict lock and key, and it's rare if not impossible to find a mod or fan tribute that doesn't get shut down by the big N. When your entire business model relies on your recognizable, high-quality IP, then it makes sense they would go to such lengths to defend it, but it still sucks for all the players out there who want to show their affection for the company... or just want to do Nintendo's job for it and do some dang fan translations of Mother 3.

Seriously, Nintendo, what is wrong with you.