Over half a year after Palworld's early access launch, its developer reports no official plagiarism complaints from Nintendo. Recall that in January, The Pokémon Company announced an investigation and potential legal action against a competitor for suspected copyright infringement. However, Nintendo appears to have let the matter rest, with no further action. Meanwhile, Palworld's developers are focused on the game's full release later this year.
Palworld, an open-world monster-collecting game, features creatures called Pals. Players capture Pals through battles, then utilize them in combat, labor, or as mounts. Firearms are also integrated, obtainable by players and equippable on Pals for defense against hostile factions. Pals can be summoned for combat or assigned base tasks like crafting and cooking. Each Pal boasts unique Partner Skills for diverse uses. While some mechanics and character designs bear resemblance to the Pokémon franchise, Nintendo seemingly chose not to pursue the matter.
According to Game File, Pocketpair CEO Takuro Mizobe states he received no complaints from Nintendo or The Pokémon Company, contradicting the latter's initial public statement. "Nothing at all," Mizobe stated. "Nintendo and the Pokémon Company didn’t say anything to us. Of course I love Pokémon and respect it. I grew up with it, in my generation." Despite the lack of legal action, fan comparisons between the two games persist, intensified by Palworld's recent Sakurajima update.
Pocketpair CEO Denies Nintendo Copyright Complaints
In a January blog post, the Palworld CEO also attributed the game's 100 character designs to a 2021 hire—a recent graduate who had previously been unsuccessful in securing employment elsewhere. The game's unique blend of monster-catching and firearms has earned it the moniker "Pokémon with guns," propelling its popularity after launch. Fans had long desired a robust open-world monster-catching experience available on platforms beyond Nintendo consoles.
Initial Palworld trailers sparked online speculation about the game's authenticity, largely due to its strong resemblance to the Pokémon franchise. Pocketpair has hinted at a PlayStation release, but other console ports remain unconfirmed.
