Smash Bros. Dating App Receives Cease-and-Desist Order

Smash Together, an innovative dating app designed for Super Smash Bros. enthusiasts to connect and form relationships, faced a significant setback just before its scheduled open beta launch on May 15. The app's developers announced on May 13 via a poignant Yoshi meme that they had received a cease-and-desist letter, hinting at an abrupt halt to their project. The official tweet read, "We got cease and desisted," indicating the legal notice had arrived just in time to derail their plans.

Although the developers did not explicitly name the sender of the cease-and-desist letter, many speculate that Nintendo, the owner of the Super Smash Bros. franchise, is behind this move. Given that Smash Together was marketed as the "premium dating site for Super Smash Bros. enjoyers of all kinds," it's understandable why Nintendo might view this as an infringement on their intellectual property.

The app promised to help users find their "dream Doubles partner (in and out of Smash)" through a specialized matchmaking algorithm that aimed to "connect you with your ideal Smash Partner." Screenshots of the app showcased unique features tailored to the Smash Bros. community, such as sections to list one's main character and notable tournament wins. The app also included playful prompts like, "I'm looking for... Someone who can make it out of pools at a major," adding a fun twist to traditional dating app interactions.

Beyond potential copyright concerns, the concept of a dating app centered around a video game like Super Smash Bros. might have been enough to prompt the issuance of the cease-and-desist letter. As of now, there has been no further communication from the SmashTogether team regarding future plans or potential pivots away from the Smash Bros. theme. The community awaits to see if an alternative solution will be pursued.

In the meantime, it's worth acknowledging the developers' restraint in discussing their situation without resorting to puns or humor related to "smashing."