Nintendo Shuts Down Etikon Controllers

It seems Nintendo has been making more and more negative decisions regarding their products in relation to the community. First was the Big House, then Splatoon 2, so what’s next? Apparently, Nintendo has shut down the manufacturer and distributor of custom-made Nintendo Switch controllers known as Etikon Controllers.

First campaign was not successful.

Second campaign was successful.

Remaining stock of Joycons were for sale my Etsy since last year.

Nintendo sent me a cease and desist at the end of September.

Here’s a picture of me with a bin of all the shells I can’t sell anymore pic.twitter.com/ytdWzObh9x

— CptnAlex (@Cptn_Alex) December 7, 2020

The Etikon Controllers are named after the late Desmond “Etika” Amofah who tragically committed suicide in June of 2019. He was a popular YouTuber with more than 800,000 followers and is famous for his over-the-top reaction videos. You can read our coverage of his passing here.

His passing was a very hard blow for the community so these controllers were created as a way to remember and commemorate him. The project was started shortly after his passing by Alex "CptnAlex" Blake. This design promptly featured the Nintendo Switch logo and the title “Joycon Boyz” which is a name Etika’s fans call themselves. According to Indiegogo, the controllers received more than $36,000 in which proceeds went to The JED Foundation, an institution that supports sufferers of mental health issues. According to CptnAlex, the issue isn’t the design itself but the use “JOYCON BOYZ” is what triggered Nintendo’s cease & desist due to the use of the trademarked “Joycon”. He is apparently free to remake the controllers but must remove any reference to “Joycon” in order to do so.

While this legal action took place in September of this year, information concerning it has rapidly spread across the internet which comes off the heels of Nintendo's streak of bad publicity. The Official Joycon Boyz Youtube channel has condemned this action and had harsh words for Nintendo. The move has also been condemned on social media of many pointing that this kind of action goes against what Nintendo stood for in the past.

While Nintendo has been facing backlash from the community, there’s still a lot of unanswered questions from both parties - especially the case of trademarks and copyright law. Hopefully, Nintendo has watching and listening to what fans are saying concerning their most recent actions.

Credits:
Editing: @Zerp
Graphics: @Zerp
Social Media: @Zerp

 

Omni and other creators have to know about this

 

Still only about 1/5 to 1/6.

And he didn't get permission from Etika's family. He's trying to make them look like the bad guys.

 

And he didn't get permission from Etika's family. He's trying to make them look like the bad guy.

you mean the bad guys since it's his family.

 

Still only about 1/5 to 1/6.

On the bright side, it's better then the guy keeping it all for himself.

 

On the bright side, it's better then the guy keeping it all for himself.

How is that a Bright side?

 

On the bright side, it's better then the guy keeping it all for himself.

How is that a Bright side?

I mean...the guy at least isn't keeping it all to himself, but he's still basically ripping off that charity.

 

How is that a Bright side?

I mean...the guy at least isn't keeping it all to himself, but he's still basically ripping off that charity.

The bright side is that not all of it went to himself.

 

Edit: posted this in the wrong place, cant seem to delete it, sorry

Parts of japanese culture is extremely behind the times; nintendo keeps demonstrating this time and time again. People need to complain as loudly as possible, don't let Nintendo get away with making moronic decisions just because their higher ups are old japanese dudes who don't understand the world we live in in 2020. Do not buy Nintendo Products unless you feel like you absolutely have to.

By waging war against the competitive scene Nintendo is effectively biting part of the hand that feeds them. They act like a rabid dog and they deserve to be treated like one.

 

Parts of japanese culture is extremely behind the times; nintendo keeps demonstrating this time and time again. People need to complain as loudly as possible, don't let Nintendo get away with making moronic decisions just because their higher ups are old japanese dudes who don't understand the world we live in in 2020. Do not buy Nintendo Products unless you feel like you absolutely have to.

By waging war against the competitive scene Nintendo is effectively biting part of the hand that feeds them. They act like a rabid dog and they deserve to be treated like one.

Is this post about the Etikons or the Tourney shutdowns?

 

Is this post about the Etikons or the Tourney shutdowns?

I wrote it in notepad and then posted it in the wrong tab, sorry, will delete. At least its somewhat relevant here maybe.

 

If it's true, then I guess this was an OK decision on Nintendo's part.

People are waaaay too quick to jump on the bandwagon. I kinda suspected something was fishy.