Pocketpair, the developer behind the hit game Palworld, recently disclosed that changes made to the game through recent patches were necessitated by an ongoing patent lawsuit filed by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company. Launched early in 2024, Palworld quickly became a sensation, debuting on Steam for $30 and available through Game Pass on Xbox and PC. The game's overwhelming success led to unprecedented sales and player counts, causing Pocketpair's CEO, Takuro Mizobe, to admit that the company was unprepared for the massive profits. In response to the game's breakout success, Pocketpair quickly moved to expand its reach, striking a deal with Sony to establish Palworld Entertainment, aimed at further developing the IP. Subsequently, Palworld was released on the PS5.
The success of Palworld drew comparisons to Pokémon, with some alleging that Pocketpair had "ripped off" Pokémon designs. However, instead of pursuing a copyright infringement lawsuit, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company opted for a patent lawsuit. They are seeking 5 million yen (approximately $32,846) each, plus damages for late payments, and an injunction to halt Palworld's release. The lawsuit focuses on three Japan-based patents related to the mechanic of catching Pokémon in a virtual field, which Palworld mirrors with its Pal Sphere mechanic, similar to that in the 2022 Nintendo Switch exclusive, Pokémon Legends: Arceus.
In November, Pocketpair confirmed that the recent patches, including Patch v0.3.11 released in November 2024, were indeed influenced by this legal battle. This patch notably altered the mechanic of summoning Pals from throwing Pal Spheres to a static summon beside the player, along with other gameplay changes. Pocketpair admitted that these modifications were a direct result of the litigation, expressing disappointment but explaining that without these changes, the gameplay experience would have deteriorated further.
Further adjustments came with Patch v0.5.5, which changed the gliding mechanic from using Pals to requiring a glider in the player's inventory. Although Pals still offer passive gliding buffs, this shift was another compromise to prevent further legal complications that could disrupt Palworld's development and sales.
Pocketpair emphasized that these changes were made to avoid an injunction that could block the game's development and distribution. While acknowledging the disappointment these changes may cause, the studio hopes for understanding from its fanbase. Despite these modifications, Pocketpair remains committed to challenging the validity of the patents in question and continuing the development of Palworld.
In a comprehensive statement, Pocketpair expressed gratitude for the support of its fans and apologized for the lack of transparency due to the ongoing legal proceedings. The studio reiterated its dedication to delivering new content and enhancing the Palworld experience, despite the challenges posed by the lawsuit.
At the Game Developers Conference (GDC) in March, IGN interviewed John "Bucky" Buckley, Pocketpair's communications director and publishing manager. During his talk titled 'Community Management Summit: A Palworld Roller Coaster: Surviving the Drop,' Buckley openly discussed Palworld's challenges, including accusations of using generative AI and stealing Pokémon models, which have been debunked. He also touched on the unexpected nature of Nintendo's patent lawsuit, describing it as a "shock" to the studio.
