Nintendo has initiated a lawsuit against Pocketpair Inc., the developer of the popular survival adventure game Palworld, commonly referred to as “Pokémon with guns.” This legal action, announced on Thursday, focuses on claims of multiple patent infringements related to the game, which has quickly gained popularity, amassing over 25 million players shortly after its January release.
Palworld allows players, known as “pal-tamers,” to capture and recruit creatures referred to as “pals,” which can either engage in battles alongside the player or assist in gathering resources at a base. The game combines elements of battle, monster capture, training, and base construction, similar to the Pokémon franchise.
The Pokémon Company, which is partnered with Nintendo, had previously stated it would investigate similarities between Palworld and its games soon after the game’s debut. They expressed intentions to take appropriate actions if copyright violations were confirmed.
In light of the lawsuit, Pocketpair issued a statement expressing regret for any anxiety caused to fans and pledged to address and examine the claims made by The Pokémon Company. However, the company noted that it was not fully informed about the specific patents in question.
A spokesperson for Nintendo confirmed the company’s dedication to protecting its intellectual property but declined to provide further details regarding the lawsuit’s content. Industry analysts highlighted that this legal action aligns with Nintendo’s history of vigorously defending its intellectual property rights and underscores the significance of the Pokémon franchise to the company’s business model.
Recently, The Pokémon Company emerged victorious in a separate legal case against several Chinese game developers accused of copyright infringement, winning a $15 million judgment. Pocketpair lamented the need to divert resources from the development of Palworld to address the lawsuit, emphasizing their commitment to supporting independent game developers in their creative endeavors.