Nintendo Probes 'Palworld,' Addressing Alleged 'Pokémon' Knockoff

Six months after Palworld's early access launch, its developer reports no official plagiarism complaint from Nintendo. Recall that in January, The Pokémon Company announced an investigation and potential legal action against a competitor for suspected copyright infringement. However, Nintendo appears to have taken no further action. Palworld's full release is planned for later this year.

Palworld, an open-world monster-catching game, features creatures called "Pals." Players capture, battle, and utilize Pals for combat, work, or mounts. Firearms are also integrated, usable by players and Pals for self-defense against hostile factions. Pals can fight alongside players or perform tasks like crafting and cooking at a base. Each Pal possesses a unique Partner Skill. While similarities to the Pokémon franchise exist, Nintendo has seemingly chosen not to pursue legal action.

According to Game File, Pocketpair CEO Takuro Mizobe denies receiving any complaints from Nintendo or The Pokémon Company, contradicting the Pokémon Company's earlier statement. Mizobe stated, "Nothing at all. Nintendo and the Pokémon Company didn’t say anything to us." He also expressed his fondness for and respect for the Pokémon franchise, highlighting his childhood connection to it. Despite the lack of legal action, online comparisons between the two games persist, intensified by Palworld's recent Sakurajima update.

Pocketpair CEO Rejects Nintendo's Copyright Claims

In a January blog post, Mizobe explained that the game's 100 character designs originated from a graduate student illustrator hired in 2021. He described her as a recent graduate who had previously faced numerous job rejections. Palworld, described as "Pokémon with guns" due to its unique premise, saw a rapid rise in popularity after its release. Its availability on multiple platforms, unlike some Pokémon titles, contributed significantly to its success.

Initial reactions to Palworld's trailer included speculation that the game was a hoax due to its resemblance to Pokémon. Pocketpair has indicated a potential PlayStation release for Palworld, but other console releases remain unconfirmed.