Palworld Reaches 32M Players Amid Nintendo Lawsuit Threat

Palworld has attracted over 32 million players across various platforms since its early access launch in January 2024. Developer Pocketpair's crafting and survival game, often referred to as "Pokémon with guns," has achieved this milestone on PC via Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation 5.

Pocketpair expressed their gratitude on social media, stating, "Thank you so much! As always, your support means the world to us!" They also shared their commitment to enhancing the game, with John 'Bucky' Buckley, Communications Director and Publishing Manager, adding, "We will continue to work hard to make Palworld year 2 even better!"

Originally launched on Steam for $30 and integrated into Game Pass on Xbox and PC, Palworld shattered sales and concurrent player records. The overwhelming success led Pocketpair's CEO, Takuro Mizobe, to admit the company was unprepared for the massive profits. In response, Pocketpair quickly capitalized on the game's popularity by signing a deal with Sony to establish Palworld Entertainment, aimed at expanding the IP and bringing the game to PS5.

Despite their efforts to update and expand Palworld, Pocketpair faces a significant legal challenge. A high-profile patent lawsuit from Nintendo and The Pokémon Company threatens to overshadow their achievements. The lawsuit stems from comparisons between Palworld's Pals and Pokémon, with accusations of design copying. Instead of pursuing a copyright infringement lawsuit, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company opted for a patent dispute, seeking 5 million yen (approximately $32,846) each, plus late payment damages and an injunction to block Palworld's release.

In November, Pocketpair acknowledged the three Japan-based patents related to catching Pokémon in a virtual field that are at the center of the lawsuit. Palworld features a similar mechanic, where players use a Pal Sphere to capture monsters in the field, reminiscent of the mechanic in the 2022 Nintendo Switch exclusive, Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Recently, Pocketpair modified how players summon Pals, leading to speculation that this change was influenced by the ongoing patent lawsuit.

Patent experts view the lawsuit as a testament to the threat Palworld poses to established franchises. As the legal battle unfolds, all eyes are on the outcome, with Pocketpair firmly stating, "We will continue to assert our position in this case through future legal proceedings."

Amid these challenges, Pocketpair has not slowed down, continuing to roll out major updates for Palworld and forging collaborations with other major video games, including a partnership with Terraria.