Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have filed a lawsuit against the creators of Palworld, alleging that the game violates the intellectual property rights associated with the iconic “Pocket Monster” franchise. The announcement was made by Nintendo on Thursday.
Palworld, released earlier this year by the Japanese developer Pocketpair, has garnered attention for being likened to “Pokémon with guns.” In January, The Pokémon Company stated its intention to investigate potential infringements after receiving numerous inquiries about the game.
The lawsuit, submitted to the Tokyo District Court on Wednesday, seeks an injunction to halt the alleged infringement and requests compensation for damages due to multiple patent violations associated with the game, as detailed in Nintendo’s statement.
While NBC News has not reviewed the lawsuit, Nintendo emphasized its commitment to defending its intellectual property rights, stating that it will take necessary actions against any infringement, including that of the Nintendo brand.
In response, Pocketpair announced its intent to initiate legal proceedings and investigate the claims of patent infringement. The company expressed uncertainty regarding the specific patents involved, as they have not yet received detailed information on the allegations.
Palworld allows players to capture creatures using a “Palsphere” following battles, reminiscent of how Pokémon are caught with “Pokéballs.” Once captured, these creatures assist players in constructing buildings, farming, and engaging in combat.
Players have pointed out similarities between characters from Palworld and those in the Pokémon series, particularly highlighting the resemblance between Palworld’s Sparkit and Pikachu, both of which are electric-based, yellow creatures with prominent features.
Palworld is not the first indie video game to face comparisons with major studio titles. Last year, The Day Before, a zombie survival game from the now-defunct developer Fntastic, was frequently compared to Naughty Dog’s acclaimed game The Last of Us, leading to its ultimate failure when released.
In a 2021 interview, Pocketpair’s CEO Takuro Mizobe mentioned being unaware of the “Pokémon with guns” meme but acknowledged the unintended popularity it brought.
Upon its release, Palworld quickly became a bestseller on the Steam platform, selling around 7 million copies within five days, amounting to roughly $189 million in sales, according to industry figure Geoff Keighley. Steam rankings indicate that Palworld is the third-most-played game in the platform’s history.
In reaction to the lawsuit, Pocketpair expressed disappointment over the diversion of time away from game development and extended apologies to its fans for any anxiety or discomfort caused by the news.