Since its early access launch in January 2024, *Palworld* has captivated over 32 million players across all platforms, including PC via Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation 5. Dubbed "Pokémon with guns" before its release, this crafting and survival game from developer Pocketpair has taken the gaming world by storm.
"Thank you so much!" Pocketpair expressed in a tweet, acknowledging the overwhelming support from the community. "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 records and setting new highs for concurrent player numbers. The game's success was so immense that Pocketpair's CEO, Takuro Mizobe, admitted the developer struggled to manage the massive profits. In response, Pocketpair quickly capitalized on the game's breakout success by signing a deal with Sony to establish Palworld Entertainment, a new venture aimed at expanding the IP and bringing the game to PS5.
While Pocketpair focuses on enhancing *Palworld*, a significant patent lawsuit with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company casts a shadow over its future. Following *Palworld*'s launch, comparisons between its Pals and Pokémon led to accusations of design copying. However, 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 center around the mechanic of catching Pokémon in a virtual field. *Palworld* indeed features a similar mechanic, where players use a Pal Sphere to capture monsters in the wild, akin to the gameplay in the 2022 Nintendo Switch title, *Pokémon Legends: Arceus*. Recently, Pocketpair modified how players summon Pals, leading to speculation that the change was related to the ongoing patent lawsuit.
Patent experts view Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's lawsuit against Pocketpair as a clear indication of the perceived threat posed by *Palworld*. As the legal battle looms, all eyes are on the outcome, with Pocketpair firmly stating, "We will continue to assert our position in this case through future legal proceedings."
Despite these challenges, Pocketpair has not slowed down, releasing significant updates for *Palworld* and forging collaborations with other major video games, including a crossover with *Terraria*.
