By The Pokémon Company has announced its intention to investigate allegations of copyright infringement against the popular online multiplayer game, Palworld, amidst claims of similarities with the Pokémon franchise.
Following a surge in popularity, fans noted resemblances between Palworld and Pokémon, leading to accusations of imitation. While Pocketpair, the developer of Palworld, asserts that legal measures were taken prior to the game’s release, the Pokémon Company has stated its readiness to take action if its intellectual property rights were indeed violated.
Palworld, dubbed as “Pokémon with guns” due to its creature-collecting gameplay akin to Pokémon but featuring firearms, garnered attention for its creature designs. Although neither company directly addressed the copycat allegations, the Pokémon Company released a statement referencing “another company’s game released in January 2024,” indicating its awareness of the situation.
While the Pokémon Company has yet to initiate legal action against Pocketpair, reports emerged of copyright claims by Nintendo against a YouTuber who showcased Pokémon characters within Palworld. Additionally, concerns over potential legal repercussions prompted Nexus Mods, a prominent platform for user-created modifications, to hesitate in hosting Pokémon-themed alterations for Palworld.
Despite the controversy, Palworld has achieved significant success, selling 8 million copies since its early access launch. Players, known as “pal-tamers,” engage in battles and creature capture across expansive maps, with gameplay elements reminiscent of popular survival titles like Ark and Rust.
Despite initial server issues, Palworld has received praise for its graphics, diverse gameplay, and creature variety, earning a “very positive” user rating on digital store Steam from 80,000 reviews. The development team acknowledges the unexpected success and is actively addressing issues arising from the game’s overwhelming popularity.
