In the statement, published on November 19, PONOS reveals that a criminal group describing itself as The OutCats made contact with the studio after illegally removing the Cat Food from one of the company’s warehouses.
Meanwhile, the criminals have used the PONOS social media accounts to publish a ransom video, explaining that The OutCats were rebuffed by The Battle Cats nearly a decade ago.
In response to this rejection, The OutCats has pledged to give 999 cans of the stolen Cat Food to every player who logs in to The Battle Cats over the coming weeks.
The full ransom video is available below.
One of the best loved tower defense titles on mobile, The Battle Cats is a critical and commercial smash. Since its mobile launch (on Android and iOS) in 2014 the game has amassed an impressive 85 million downloads – an achievement that is likely to have infuriated the jilted OutCats.
In contrast with most tower defence games, which rely on traditional military, science-fiction, or fantasy tropes, The Battle Cats tasks players with the daunting task of sending cats into battle with an impossibly diverse array of bestial opponents.
Throughout the game, players gain access to additional cats with new abilities, expanding their tactical options.
Freeing these cats from their Capsules costs Cat Food, and players are certain to rejoice in the opportunity to increase the strength of their cat armies using illicit donations made by The OutCats.
But there is little cause for jubilation in PONOS’s Kyoto headquarters.
Read the company’s statement in full below.
19 November 2023 – 3:00PM PST
BREAKING: PONOS announces theft of 100 million Cat Food cans
PONOS Corporation has today launched an independent review of security after it was discovered 100 million Cat Food cans were missing from The Battle Cats warehouse.
A representative of PONOS was contacted this morning by an alleged criminal organisation claiming responsibility. Further investigation revealed more than 100 million Cat Food cans had indeed been stolen by the syndicate, whose demands are yet unknown.
This matter is currently under investigation, but we will provide more information over the coming days as more details come to light.
PONOS Social Media Channels
X: @PONOS_EN
Instagram: @battlecatsofficial
Facebook: The Battle Cats
