Palworld, the crafting and survival game described as "Pokémon with guns," has achieved remarkable success since its January 2024 early access launch, boasting over 32 million players across PC (Steam), Xbox, and PlayStation 5. Developer Pocketpair expressed gratitude for this overwhelming support, promising continued efforts to enhance Palworld in its second year.
The game's launch, priced at $30 on Steam and included in Xbox Game Pass, shattered sales and concurrent player records. This explosive success even led to the company temporarily struggling to manage the influx of profits. Capitalizing on this momentum, Pocketpair partnered with Sony, establishing 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 long shadow. Following Palworld's launch, comparisons to Pokémon, including accusations of design similarities, led to this legal battle. Instead of a copyright infringement suit, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company pursued a patent infringement claim, seeking 5 million yen (approximately $32,846) each, plus damages and an injunction.
In November, Pocketpair acknowledged the three Japanese patents at the heart of the lawsuit, which center around the mechanic of capturing creatures in a virtual field—a mechanic similar to that in Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Interestingly, Pocketpair recently altered the Pal summoning mechanic, fueling speculation about its connection to the lawsuit. Patent experts view the lawsuit as a testament to the threat Palworld poses. The outcome remains uncertain, with Pocketpair committed to defending its position in court.
Despite the legal battle, Pocketpair continues to release significant updates for Palworld and has even pursued collaborations with other major titles, including a crossover with Terraria.
