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" before its record-breaking release, the crafting and survival game has captivated a massive audience.
Pocketpair expressed their gratitude on social media, stating, "Thank you so much! As always, your support means the world to us!" Communications Director and Publishing Manager John 'Bucky' Buckley added, "We will continue to work hard to make Palworld year 2 even better!"
Initially launched on Steam for $30 and integrated into Game Pass on Xbox and PC, Palworld shattered sales and concurrent player number records. The game's massive success led Pocketpair's CEO, Takuro Mizobe, to admit that the developer struggled to manage the enormous profits. In response, Pocketpair quickly capitalized on the game's popularity 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 continues to enhance Palworld with updates, a looming high-profile patent lawsuit with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company casts a shadow over their efforts. Following Palworld's launch, comparisons to Pokémon led to accusations of design "ripoffs." 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 they are being sued over, which focus on the mechanic of catching Pokémon in a virtual field. Palworld features a similar mechanic with players using a Pal Sphere to capture monsters in the wild, akin to the system in the 2022 Nintendo Switch exclusive, Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Recently, Pocketpair made changes to how players summon Pals, which some speculate was a response to the patent infringement lawsuit.
Patent experts view the lawsuit as a testament to the threat Palworld poses to established IPs. With Pocketpair vowing to defend their position in court, the outcome of this legal battle remains uncertain. Despite the legal challenges, Pocketpair has not slowed down, releasing significant updates for Palworld and forging collaborations with other major video games, including a crossover with Terraria.
