Palworld, often described by fans as “Pokémon with guns,” is facing legal challenges as Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have filed a patent infringement lawsuit in Tokyo against Pocketpair, the game’s developer, asserting that Palworld violates multiple patent rights.
The lawsuit appears to be a reaction to the gameplay mechanics of Palworld, where players capture creatures by weakening them and placing them into Pal Spheres, reminiscent of how Poké Balls function in Pokémon. Additionally, players have created mods that feature actual Pokémon, drawing further attention from Nintendo due to the apparent similarities in design.
Interestingly, Nintendo’s legal action focuses on patent issues rather than copyright, suggesting that the dispute may center on gameplay mechanics rather than creature design.
Since its launch in January, Palworld has achieved remarkable success, selling over 12 million copies within its first month and becoming Microsoft’s largest third-party Game Pass launch to date.
In response to the lawsuit, Pocketpair issued a statement indicating it was unaware of the specific patents in question but pledged to investigate the allegations. The company also stated its commitment to enhancing the game, mentioning a recent patch that addressed various bugs. They expressed regret that the lawsuit would divert time and resources away from game development but affirmed their dedication to supporting indie game creators.
Fans continue to rally behind Pocketpair, with some expressing frustration over Nintendo’s actions. Comments on social media reflect a desire for competition and criticism of what some perceive as bullying of smaller developers. Conversely, others have sided with Nintendo, recognizing the company’s longstanding history of defending its intellectual property rights.
Pocketpair’s CEO, Takuro Mizobe, has previously rejected allegations of misconduct, asserting that the company has no intention of infringing on other businesses’ intellectual property. However, Nintendo remains firm in its position, emphasizing its obligation to protect its trademarks and the intellectual properties it has cultivated over the years. The legal actions taken by Nintendo are consistent with its history of enforcing its rights in the gaming industry.