Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have taken legal action against the developers of Palworld, a popular survival adventure game, citing allegations of patent infringement. The game, which quickly gained the moniker “Pokémon with guns” following its 2021 trailer launch, has faced scrutiny just days after its January release.
Palworld’s creator, Pocketpair Inc, acknowledged the lawsuit in a statement, expressing regret for any distress it may have caused to fans. Historically, Pocketpair had asserted that its game had cleared legal assessments prior to launch.
According to Nintendo and The Pokémon Company, Palworld allegedly violates multiple patent rights. The legal proceedings aim to secure an injunction against the purported infringements and seek damages for losses incurred.
Despite the controversy, Palworld has achieved remarkable success, attracting over 25 million players within its first month. The gameplay mirrors elements familiar to Pokémon fans, focusing on the collection of unique creatures with special abilities.
The game allows players, referred to as “pal-tamers,” to traverse expansive environments, engaging in battles against human opponents and capturing creatures known as “pals.” These creatures can battle alongside players or contribute to base-building efforts by crafting supplies.
Following fan reports of similarities between Palworld and Pokémon, The Pokémon Company initiated an investigation, promising to take appropriate measures if copyright violations were confirmed.
In its response to the lawsuit, Pocketpair committed to reviewing the claims made by The Pokémon Company but noted it was not aware of the specific patents involved in the allegations. The company expressed disappointment at needing to divert valuable resources from game development to address the legal dispute, emphasizing its commitment to supporting indie developers in pursuing their creative ventures.
