Palworld Developer Comments On Nintendo\'s \'Pokémon Rip-Off\' Investigation

$Palworld Developer Comments On Nintendo\$

Six months after Palworld's early access launch, its developer reports no official plagiarism complaints from Nintendo. Back in January, The Pokémon Company announced an investigation into potential copyright infringement, hinting at possible legal action. However, Nintendo appears to have taken no further steps. Meanwhile, Palworld's developers are focused on the game's full release later this year.

Palworld, an open-world monster-catching 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 groups and potentially equipping Pals. Pals can be summoned for combat or assigned base tasks like crafting and cooking. Each Pal possesses a unique Partner Skill. While similarities to the Pokémon franchise exist in certain mechanics and character designs, Nintendo's response has been, so far, inaction.

According to Game File, Pocketpair CEO Takuro Mizobe denies receiving any complaints from Nintendo or The Pokémon Company, despite the latter's earlier public 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 Pokémon, highlighting its influence on his generation. Despite the lack of legal action, fan comparisons persist, fueled further 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 2021 hire—a recent graduate who had previously been unsuccessful in securing employment elsewhere. Palworld, described as "Pokémon with guns" due to its unique premise, gained rapid popularity after its release, partly driven by years of fan demand for an open-world monster-catching game accessible on multiple platforms beyond Nintendo consoles.

Initial speculation surrounding Palworld's trailer even questioned its authenticity due to its resemblance to Pokémon. Pocketpair has suggested a PlayStation release for Palworld, but the game's availability on other consoles remains unconfirmed.