Palworld Reaches 32M Players Amid Nintendo's looming Pokémon Lawsuit

Since its early access launch in January 2024, Palworld has attracted over 32 million players across all platforms, including PC via Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation 5. Dubbed “Pokémon with guns” before its release, the crafting and survival game from developer Pocketpair has broken records and captured the gaming community's attention.

Pocketpair expressed their gratitude, stating, “Thank you so much! As always, your support means the world to us!” They also promised continued dedication, with John 'Bucky' Buckley, the Communications Director and Publishing Manager, adding, “We will continue to work hard to make Palworld year 2 even better!”

Initially launched on Steam for $30 and integrated into Game Pass on Xbox and PC, Palworld quickly set new benchmarks for sales and concurrent player numbers. The game's monumental success led Pocketpair's CEO, Takuro Mizobe, to admit that the company struggled to manage the massive profits generated. In response, Pocketpair swiftly expanded its reach by signing a deal with Sony to establish Palworld Entertainment, aimed at broadening the game's IP and launching it on the PS5.

Amidst ongoing updates to Palworld, a significant challenge looms on the horizon: a high-profile patent lawsuit filed by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company. Following Palworld's launch, accusations surfaced that Palworld's creatures, known as Pals, were too similar to Pokémon, leading to claims of design copying. Instead of pursuing a copyright infringement lawsuit, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company opted for a patent lawsuit, seeking 5 million yen (approximately $32,846) each, plus damages for late payments, and an injunction to prevent Palworld's release.

In November, Pocketpair acknowledged the three Japan-based patents at the center of the lawsuit, which focus on the mechanic of catching creatures in a virtual field. Palworld features a similar mechanic where players use a Pal Sphere to capture monsters, reminiscent of the capture system in the 2022 Nintendo Switch game, Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Recently, Pocketpair modified the summoning of Pals, leading to speculation that the change was influenced by the ongoing patent lawsuit.

Legal experts view Nintendo and The Pokémon Company’s action as a sign of the perceived threat posed by Palworld. The outcome of this legal battle is eagerly anticipated, with Pocketpair firmly stating, “We will continue to assert our position in this case through future legal proceedings.”

Despite these legal challenges, Pocketpair has not slowed down, continuing to roll out significant updates for Palworld and forging collaborations with other major video games, including a notable partnership with Terraria.