Palworld Devs Respond to Nintendo's 'Pokémon Clone' Inquiry

Six months after Palworld's early access launch, its developer reports no official plagiarism complaint from Nintendo. Despite The Pokémon Company's January announcement of an investigation and potential legal action for suspected copyright infringement, Nintendo appears to have taken no further action. Palworld's full release is still planned for later this year.

Palworld, an open-world monster-taming game, features creatures called "Pals." Players capture and utilize Pals in combat, labor, and as mounts. Firearms are also integrated, allowing players and their Pals to defend against hostile factions. Pals can participate in battles or perform tasks like crafting and cooking at the player's base. Each Pal possesses a unique Partner Skill. While similarities to the Pokémon franchise exist in certain mechanics and character designs, Nintendo hasn't pursued the matter.

According to Game File, Pocketpair CEO Takuro Mizobe states he's received no communication from Nintendo or The Pokémon Company, contradicting the earlier public statement. Mizobe emphasized his love and respect for Pokémon, highlighting its influence on his generation. Despite the lack of legal action, 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 Mizobe also revealed that Palworld's 100 character concepts originated from a graduate student illustrator hired in 2021. The game's unusual premise, often described as "Pokémon with guns," led to a surge in popularity after its release, appealing to fans seeking an open-world monster-catching experience on multiple platforms, unlike the Pokémon series' console exclusivity.

Initial skepticism regarding Palworld's authenticity arose on social media due to its resemblance to Pokémon. Pocketpair hints at a future PlayStation release, but other console ports remain unannounced.