Palworld, the crafting and survival game dubbed "Pokémon with guns," has surpassed 32 million players across Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation 5 since its January 2024 early access launch. Developer Pocketpair expressed gratitude for the overwhelming player support, promising continued development to enhance Palworld's second year.
The game's initial success, launching on Steam for $30 and simultaneously on Xbox and PC Game Pass, was so significant that Pocketpair's CEO, Takuro Mizobe, stated the company struggled to manage the resulting profits. This explosive launch led to a partnership with Sony, forming Palworld Entertainment to expand the IP and bring the game to PS5.
However, Palworld's journey isn't without its challenges. A high-profile patent lawsuit with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company casts a shadow over its continued success. Following Palworld's release, comparisons to Pokémon, and accusations of design similarities, led Nintendo and The Pokémon Company to pursue a patent infringement lawsuit, seeking 5 million yen (approximately $32,846) each in damages, plus an injunction.
Pocketpair confirmed the three Japanese patents in question, which center around the mechanic of capturing creatures in a virtual field – a mechanic present in Palworld's Pal Sphere system, reminiscent of Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Interestingly, Pocketpair recently altered the Pal summoning mechanic, prompting speculation about its connection to the lawsuit. Patent experts consider the lawsuit a testament to the threat Palworld poses to established IPs.
Despite the legal battle, Pocketpair remains committed to updating Palworld, even forging collaborations with other major titles, including a recent crossover with Terraria. The company has vowed to defend its position in court, promising continued legal action against Nintendo and The Pokémon Company. The outcome of the lawsuit remains highly anticipated.
