Over half a year 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 formal action has been taken by Nintendo. Palworld's developers are now focusing on the game's full release later this year.
Palworld, an open-world monster-collecting game, features creatures called Pals. Players capture and utilize these Pals in battles, labor, and as mounts. Firearms are also integrated, serving as self-defense against hostile factions and equipping Pals for combat. Pals can be deployed in battles or assigned base tasks like crafting and cooking, each possessing unique Partner Skills. While similarities to the Pokémon franchise exist in certain mechanics and character designs, Nintendo appears to have opted against legal action.
According to Game File, Pocketpair CEO Takuro Mizobe denies receiving any complaints from Nintendo or The Pokémon Company, contradicting the earlier public statement. Mizobe stated, "Nothing at all. Nintendo and the Pokémon Company didn’t say anything to us." He emphasized his love for and respect for Pokémon, citing it as a significant part of his childhood. Regardless of legal proceedings, fan comparisons between the two games persist, fueled further by Palworld's recent Sakurajima update.
Pocketpair CEO Rejects Nintendo's Copyright Claims
A January blog post by the Palworld CEO also revealed that the game's 100 character designs originated from a 2021 hire, a recent graduate who had previously faced numerous job rejections. Palworld, described as "Pokémon with guns" due to its unique premise, quickly gained popularity after release, appealing to fans' long-standing desire for an open-world monster-catching game available on diverse platforms beyond Nintendo consoles.
Initial speculation, fueled by social media, questioned Palworld's authenticity due to its resemblance to the Pokémon franchise. Pocketpair has hinted at a future PlayStation release, but other console ports remain unannounced.
