Six months after Palworld's early access launch, its developer reports no official plagiarism complaint from Nintendo. Recall that in January, The Pokémon Company announced an investigation into potential copyright infringement and threatened legal action. However, Nintendo appears to have taken no further action. Meanwhile, Palworld's developers are preparing for the game's full release later this year.
Palworld, an open-world monster-catching game, features creatures called "Pals." Players capture and utilize these Pals in combat, labor, and as mounts. Firearms are also integrated, providing self-defense against hostile factions and enabling Pals to assist in crafting and cooking at the player's base. Each Pal possesses a unique Partner Skill. While similarities to the Pokémon franchise exist, Nintendo has seemingly chosen not to pursue the matter.
According to Game File, Pocketpair CEO Takuro Mizobe states he received no communication from Nintendo or The Pokémon Company, contradicting their earlier public statements. Mizobe emphasized his love for and respect for Pokémon, citing it as a formative influence. Despite the lack of legal action, comparisons between the two games persist, fueled further by Palworld's recent Sakurajima update.
Pocketpair CEO Rejects Nintendo's Copyright Claims
In a January blog post, Mizobe explained that the game's 100+ character designs originated from a graduate student illustrator hired in 2021. The game's unique blend of monster-catching and firearms has earned it the moniker "Pokémon with guns," leading to a surge in popularity. Players have long desired an open-world monster-catching game available on multiple platforms, beyond Nintendo consoles.
Initial reactions to Palworld's trailer included skepticism, with some believing the game to be a hoax due to its resemblance to Pokémon. Pocketpair has hinted at a PlayStation release, but the game's availability on other consoles remains unconfirmed.
