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 record-breaking release, the crafting and survival game from developer Pocketpair has taken the gaming world by storm. "Thank you so much!" Pocketpair expressed on X (formerly Twitter). "As always, your support means the world to us!" John 'Bucky' Buckley, Pocketpair's Communications Director and Publishing Manager, added, "We will continue to work hard to make Palworld year 2 even better!"
Launched on Steam for $30 and included in Game Pass on Xbox and PC, Palworld shattered sales and concurrent player number records. The game's massive success overwhelmed Pocketpair, with CEO Takuro Mizobe admitting they couldn't handle the enormous profits. Swift to capitalize on this breakout hit, Pocketpair signed a deal with Sony to create Palworld Entertainment, a new business focused on expanding the IP and bringing the game to PS5.
As Pocketpair diligently updates Palworld, a high-profile patent lawsuit with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company casts a shadow over their efforts. Following Palworld's launch, comparisons between Palworld's Pals and Pokémon led to accusations 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 late payment damages and an injunction to block Palworld's release.
In November, Pocketpair confirmed the three Japan-based patents related to catching Pokémon in a virtual field that they are being sued over. Palworld features a similar mechanic where players throw a Pal Sphere at monsters in a field to capture them, reminiscent of the mechanic in the 2022 Nintendo Switch exclusive Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Recently, Pocketpair modified how players summon Pals, leading to speculation that this change was influenced by the ongoing patent infringement lawsuit.
Patent experts view Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's lawsuit against Pocketpair as a sign of the threat posed by Palworld. The gaming community is closely watching the lawsuit to see who will prevail, though a settlement remains a possibility. Pocketpair has vowed to defend their position in court, stating, "We will continue to assert our position in this case through future legal proceedings."
Despite the legal challenges, Pocketpair has not slowed down, releasing major updates for Palworld and forging collaborations with other major video games, including a crossover with Terraria.
