Palworld Addresses Nintendo's 'Copycat' Probe

Six months after Palworld's early access launch, its developer reports no official plagiarism complaints from Nintendo. Despite The Pokémon Company's January announcement of an investigation and potential legal action for suspected copyright infringement, no action has been taken. Palworld, meanwhile, progresses towards its full release later this year.

Palworld, an open-world monster-taming game, features creatures called Pals. Players capture and utilize Pals for combat, labor, and mounts. Firearms are integrated, allowing players and Pals to defend against hostile factions. Pals contribute to base operations like crafting and cooking, each possessing unique Partner Skills. While similarities to the Pokémon franchise exist, Nintendo appears to have taken no further action.

According to Game File, Pocketpair CEO Takuro Mizobe denies receiving any complaints from Nintendo or The Pokémon Company, contradicting their initial public statement. Mizobe stated, "Nothing at all. Nintendo and the Pokémon Company didn’t say anything to us." Despite the lack of legal action, comparisons between Palworld and Pokémon persist, intensified by Palworld's recent Sakurajima update.

Pocketpair CEO Rejects Nintendo's Copyright Claims

A January blog post by the Palworld CEO further clarifies that the game's 100 character designs originated from a 2021 graduate hire. He explained that she "applied to nearly 100 companies, but failed them all," highlighting her contribution to Palworld's character roster. Dubbed "Pokémon with guns," Palworld's unique premise and cross-platform availability fueled its rapid popularity, fulfilling a long-standing fan desire for an open-world monster-catching game beyond Nintendo consoles.

Initial trailer reactions included speculation that Palworld was a hoax due to its resemblance to the Pokémon franchise. Pocketpair hints at a PlayStation release, but further console ports remain unannounced.