Palworld Lawsuit: Pocketpair CEO Takuro Mizobe Confessed Their Game Shares More With a Renowned Non-Nintendo MMORPG, Not Pokémon

SUMMARY

• Nintendo and The Pokemon Company have filed a lawsuit against Palworld creator Pocketpair.
• Palworld was considered a Pokemon copy with fans titling it "Pokemon with guns."
• But the developers made it clear in that the game was more inspired by a different game entirely.

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The popular creature-collecting game Palworld took the world by storm this year. But it hasn’t been without controversy. There have been heavy comparisons between it and Pokémon since the game first came out in January 2024. And now it has gone to the next level.

One of 2024’s biggest hits is in trouble. | Image Credit: Pocketpair

On September 18, 2024, Nintendo, alongside The Pokémon Company, officially filed a lawsuit against Pocketpair, alleging patent infringement due to the striking similarities between Palworld’s creatures and iconic Pokémon designs. Pocketpair’s CEO Takuro Mizobe has already stated previously that the game takes inspiration from a different game entirely.

Palworld Gameplay Was Inspired By a Completely Different Game

Despite Palworld‘s overwhelming success since its release in January 2024, the game has constantly faced scrutiny over its uncanny similarities to Pokémon. With creatures called Pals that bear a striking resemblance to certain Pokémon, it’s no wonder that there were raised concerns.

CEO Takuro Mizobe talked about this in several interviews leading up to the game’s release, including one with Automaton. Mizobe made it clear that the game isn’t just about collecting creatures and battling them, as many assumed based on its initial trailers.

While Pokémon was a major influence, Mizobe explained that Ark: Survival Evolved was a more fitting comparison in terms of mechanics and overall gameplay. Like Ark, Palworld is a survival first, with players needing to gather resources, build bases, and fend off any dangers, something Pokémon is nowhere close to.

They would rather waste time on this than actually making good games 😭

Mizobe went on to say that while the monster-collecting element in their game might be reminiscent of Pokémon, the similarities end there. In Palworld, players use Pals not just for battle but for labor, crafting, and even as food sources.

Nintendo Always Strikes Back When You Least Expect It

This isn’t the company’s first rodeo with legal battles. | Image Credit: Nintendo

The legal troubles with Nintendo aren’t entirely unexpected. As early as January 2024, the Pokémon Company began investigating potential copyright infringements. Fans had already pointed out that some Pals looked eerily similar to their favorite Pokémon characters. But with how silent the situation eventually got, many people thought the matter would be dropped completely.

Nintendo’s legal response, however, suggests otherwise. Filed on September 18, the lawsuit accuses Pocketpair of infringing on multiple patents and seeks both an injunction and compensation for damages. Nintendo has a long history of cracking down on games that resemble its own creations.

For many fans, the real question is; why did Nintendo take so long to act? The game has been available on platforms such as Steam and Xbox for months. It even sold five million copies within its first three days of release. Players loved the game’s chaotic mix of combat and creature collection, but Nintendo remained silent until now.

If Nintendo and The Pokémon Company are successful in their lawsuit, it could lead to the game being delisted or altered significantly to avoid further patent infringements. But for now, the devs are continuing to develop and update the game, despite the threat of legal action.

What do you think will be the outcome of this situation? Let us know in the comments!

Written by Daniel Royte

Articles Published: 340

Daniel is a gamer through and through with a passion for gaming in his veins. His current adventures have taken him into the world of Elden Ring, Wuthering Waves, and Genshin Impact, amongst others.