Pocketpair’s Pokémon-like Survival Game Expands, But Legal Troubles Loom
The hit Pokémon-inspired survival game Palworld has officially launched on PlayStation 5, following its successful debut on PC earlier this year. The announcement came during Sony’s recent State of Play livestream, marking a major expansion for the game into the console market.
Already available on Xbox, Palworld has garnered attention for its unique blend of monster-catching mechanics and survival gameplay. Developer Pocketpair has hinted that crossplay between platforms is on the way, signalling even greater accessibility for players across systems.
However, this exciting release comes at a difficult time for the indie studio. After months of speculation, Nintendo has officially taken legal action against Pocketpair, filing a lawsuit for patent infringement earlier this month. The legal move follows growing comparisons between Palworld and the Pokémon series, particularly in their gameplay mechanics.
Our investigation suggests the lawsuit may revolve around one of Nintendo’s patents concerning the iconic act of throwing Poké Balls, a key element in the Pokémon franchise. With Nintendo’s track record of aggressive legal battles and a skilled team of attorneys, this lawsuit could pose a significant challenge for Pocketpair.
In response to the lawsuit, Pocketpair expressed their disappointment, stating: “It is truly unfortunate that we will be forced to allocate significant time to matters unrelated to game development due to this lawsuit. However, we will do our utmost for our fans, and to ensure that indie game developers are not hindered or discouraged from pursuing their creative ideas.”
As the battle between Pocketpair and Nintendo unfolds, Palworld’s growing popularity continues to capture the interest of players. But with a legal storm brewing, the indie studio faces an uphill struggle to defend its game while continuing to develop for its fanbase.
