Palworld Reaches 32M Players Amid Nintendo's Looming Pokémon Lawsuit

Since its early access launch in January 2024, Palworld has captivated over 32 million players across PC via Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation 5. Dubbed “Pokémon with guns” before its release, the crafting and survival game from developer Pocketpair has broken records and garnered immense popularity. "Thank you so much!" Pocketpair expressed on social media. "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!"

Palworld launched on Steam for $30 and was immediately available on Game Pass for Xbox and PC, shattering sales and concurrent player number records. The overwhelming success led Pocketpair boss Takuro Mizobe to admit the company struggled to handle the massive profits generated by the game. Seizing the opportunity, Pocketpair swiftly signed a deal with Sony to create Palworld Entertainment, a new business focused on expanding the IP and bringing the game to PS5.

Despite the ongoing efforts to enhance Palworld, a looming patent lawsuit with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company casts a shadow over the game's future. Following Palworld's massive launch, many drew comparisons between Palworld’s Pals and Pokémon, with some alleging that Pocketpair had copied Pokémon designs. 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 it is being sued over, which are centered on the mechanic of catching Pokémon in a virtual field. Palworld includes a similar feature 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. Amidst the lawsuit, Pocketpair recently adjusted how players summon Pals, prompting speculation that the change was related to the patent infringement case.

Patent experts view the lawsuit by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company against Pocketpair as indicative of the perceived threat posed by Palworld. The industry is closely watching the legal battle to determine the outcome, while Pocketpair remains determined, stating, "We will continue to assert our position in this case through future legal proceedings."

Despite these challenges, Pocketpair has not slowed down, continuing to release significant updates for Palworld and forging collaborations with other major video games, including a crossover with Terraria.