Since its early access launch in January 2024, Palworld has attracted over 32 million players across all platforms, including PC via Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation 5. Dubbed "Pokémon with guns" prior to its record-breaking release, the game's success has been phenomenal. Pocketpair, the developer behind Palworld, expressed their gratitude on Twitter, stating, "Thank you so much! As always, your support means the world to us!" They also promised to enhance the game in its second year, with John 'Bucky' Buckley, Pocketpair's Communications Director and Publishing Manager, adding, "We will continue to work hard to make Palworld year 2 even better!"
Priced at $30 on Steam and available on Game Pass for Xbox and PC since its launch, Palworld shattered sales and concurrent player records. The game's massive success led to overwhelming profits, which Pocketpair struggled to manage initially. However, they quickly leveraged this success by signing a deal with Sony to establish Palworld Entertainment, a new venture aimed at expanding the Palworld IP and bringing the game to the PS5.
Amidst ongoing updates and expansions, Pocketpair faces a significant legal challenge. Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have initiated a high-profile patent lawsuit against Pocketpair, seeking 5 million yen (approximately $32,846) each, along with late payment damages and an injunction to halt Palworld's release. This legal action stems from accusations that Palworld's Pals resemble Pokémon, with some alleging design "ripoffs." The lawsuit focuses on three Japan-based patents related to capturing Pokémon in a virtual field, a mechanic similar to Palworld's Pal Sphere, which players use to capture monsters in the game. This mechanic bears resemblance to the one featured in the 2022 Nintendo Switch exclusive, Pokémon Legends: Arceus. In response to the lawsuit, Pocketpair has made adjustments to how players summon Pals, sparking speculation that these changes were made to address the patent infringement claims.
Patent experts view this lawsuit as a testament to the competitive threat posed by Palworld. As the legal battle unfolds, Pocketpair has vowed to defend its position vigorously in court, stating, "We will continue to assert our position in this case through future legal proceedings." Despite the legal challenges, Pocketpair remains focused on enhancing Palworld, releasing significant updates and forging collaborations, such as the one with Terraria.
