Game*Spark interviewed Amazon Japan G.K. regarding the issue of a series of books being sold on Amazon.co.jp that are marketed as game strategy guides, yet whose content and practicality are questionable.
From *Poko a Pokémon* to *The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time*… The Recurring Issue of “Fake Strategy Guides”
Since March 2026, Game*Spark has been continuously covering the issue of so-called “fake strategy guides” sold on Amazon.co.jp.
In an article published on March 5, we reported on strategy guides—presumably created using generative AI—based on titles such as *Poko a Pokémon* and *Arknights: Endfield*.While touting themselves as the “Ultimate Game Guide” or claiming to “contain all data in full,” the content of the sample pages was verbose and rambling, raising doubts about their practical value as strategy guides.
Furthermore, on March 9, we reported that while the products initially highlighted had been removed from Amazon, four new suspicious strategy guides had been identified. Some of these products even contained misspelled game titles.
The issues continued thereafter.
On July 6, a book appeared claiming to provide a “complete walkthrough” of the 13 titles and bonus game included in *Ganbare Goemon: Daishūgō!* in just 88 pages. Its table of contents revealed an unnatural structure, with only one page devoted to walkthrough charts for all the bosses.
Then, on October 28, reports emerged regarding a suspicious strategy guide targeting the remake of *The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time*, scheduled for release on November 5. Despite the main game not yet being released, a book claiming to explain combat, collectibles, and side quests was already on sale.
In addition, similar concerns have been raised regarding products for *Final Fantasy Resonance* and *Fire Emblem: Blossoming Colors*.
Amazon Responds: “We Will Take Action Regardless of Whether the Content Was Generated by AI”
In light of this situation, Game*Spark asked Amazon the following questions regarding book sales screening, verification of content accuracy, measures against AI-generated content, prevention of confusion with official products, actions taken against problematic items, remedies for purchasers, and future countermeasures:
1. Regarding the Review Process for Books
How does Amazon.co.jp review and verify the accuracy, practicality, and consistency with product descriptions of books sold as game strategy guides? Additionally, are the paperbacks that are actually shipped from Amazon.co.jp physically stocked in its warehouses?
2. Policy Regarding Books Created Using Generative AI
Amazon’s KDP Content Guidelines include provisions requiring the disclosure of AI-generated content.
For strategy guides that may have been created using generative AI and where the accuracy of the content is in question, what criteria are used to determine whether they can be sold? Also, are the details of the AI-generated content disclosures verified or validated? Furthermore, are there any plans to introduce features—such as excluding books that use AI-generated content from search results—similar to those seen on other e-book services?
3. Misidentification as Official Products and Rights Issues
Are there measures in place to prevent purchasers from mistaking products—which use the titles of popular games and are marketed with phrases such as “Complete Walkthrough” or “Official Guide”—for official publications?
Please also explain your company’s policy regarding the handling of game-related books that have not obtained permission from the rights holders.
4. Response to Products Where Issues Have Been Reported
If inaccuracies in content or misleading expressions are pointed out, what kind of investigations or sales suspension measures will be taken?
Furthermore, does your company plan to investigate or take action regarding products such as those discussed here?
5. Remedies for Purchasers
If a product purchased as a strategy guide contains a large number of inaccuracies, how are remedies such as returns and refunds handled?
6. Future Measures
Please let us know whether your company recognizes the issues surrounding the distribution of such books and whether you are considering future measures, such as strengthening your review system.
In response, Amazon Japan G.K. provided the following statement through its public relations department. However, we did not receive specific answers to our individual questions.
Amazon aims to remain a bookstore loved by readers and trusted by publishers and authors. To that end, we have implemented and are constantly strengthening various measures to protect your experience.Our content guidelines specify what types of books we can sell. For content that violates these guidelines—regardless of whether it was created by AI—we take measures both to prevent violations before they occur and to continuously monitor the store to detect and remove such content.We will continue to monitor the store in line with changes in technology and the publishing industry and strengthen our efforts accordingly.
Amazon has explained that its policy is not to treat the use of generative AI as a problem in and of itself, but rather to take action based on violations of its Content Guidelines.
In fact, Amazon’s self-publishing service, “Kindle Direct Publishing (KDP),” requires authors to disclose any text or images created using generative AI. Furthermore, the content guidelines prohibit descriptions that mislead buyers or do not accurately represent the book’s content.
Therefore, it remains unclear whether Amazon has determined that the books featured in this Game*Spark article violate its content guidelines, or whether it is currently conducting specific investigations or taking measures such as suspending sales.
The response provided in this instance outlines Amazon’s basic policy of preventing, detecting, and removing books that violate the guidelines. However, it remains unclear how effectively these measures are working in light of the series of reports regarding suspicious strategy guides.
It should be noted that the mere fact that a book uses generative AI or is an unofficial strategy guide does not automatically make it problematic. What matters is whether the description provided at the time of sale matches the actual content and whether the guide contains appropriate information for a strategy guide.
We recommend that readers, when purchasing game strategy guides, verify the publisher and author and confirm whether the publication is official. If possible, we also suggest reviewing sample pages to check the content.
