Pocketpair, the developer behind the hit game Palworld, has recently disclosed that certain changes implemented in the game were a direct result of an ongoing patent lawsuit initiated by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company. Palworld, which launched to critical acclaim and record-breaking sales on Steam and Game Pass for Xbox and PC in early 2024, also expanded to PS5 following a lucrative deal with Sony to create Palworld Entertainment. The game's massive success led to accusations of design similarities with Pokémon, prompting Nintendo and The Pokémon Company to pursue a patent lawsuit rather than a copyright infringement claim, seeking damages and an injunction against Palworld.
The lawsuit revolves around three Japan-based patents related to capturing Pokémon in a virtual field, which Palworld mimics with its Pal Sphere mechanic. In response to the legal action, Pocketpair released Patch v0.3.11 in November 2024, which altered the summoning mechanic from throwing Pal Spheres to a static summon beside the player. This patch, along with subsequent Patch v0.5.5, which changed the gliding mechanic to use a glider instead of Pals, were described by Pocketpair as necessary "compromises" to avoid further legal repercussions that could halt the game's development and distribution.
Despite these adjustments, Pocketpair remains committed to challenging the validity of the patents in court. The developer expressed regret over the changes but emphasized their necessity to prevent disruptions in the game's development. Pocketpair's full statement reflects their appreciation for fan support and their ongoing efforts to deliver new content while navigating the legal challenges.
At the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in March, John "Bucky" Buckley, Pocketpair's communications director and publishing manager, shared insights into the studio's struggles, including the unfounded accusations of using generative AI and stealing Pokémon models, and the unexpected patent lawsuit from Nintendo. Buckley's candid discussion highlighted the challenges Pocketpair faces and their determination to move forward despite these obstacles.
