The success of Palworld has naturally led to comparisons between the game and Pokémon, with the internet now debating whether any legal ramifications could happen due to their similarities. While this isn’t the first time a video game has come out that bears a resemblance to Pokémon, the unprecedented success has meant more eyes are involved. Every day, new developments are taking place as Palworld continues to grow its already massive player base. As the landscape is changing constantly, let’s delve into everything we know so far about the comparisons between Palworld and The Pokémon Company, including the latter’s official statement regarding an investigation into “another company’s game”.
What is Going on with Palworld and The Pokémon Company?
Palworld launched into early access across Xbox Series X/S and PC on January 19, 2024. Since then, many people have made references to the similarities between the game and the Pokémon franchise. On January 25, The Pokémon Company released a statement that appears to be regarding Palworld – though it does not name the game specifically. The full statement from The Pokémon Company can be seen below:
“We have received many inquiries regarding another company’s game released in January 2024. We have not granted any permission for the use of Pokémon intellectual property or assets in that game. We intend to investigate and take appropriate measures to address any acts that infringe on intellectual property rights related to the Pokémon. We will continue to cherish and nurture each and every Pokémon and its world, and work to bring the world together through Pokémon in the future.”
Before this, Pocketpair CEO Takuro Mizobe confirmed (via Japanese outlet Automaton) that the game “cleared legal reviews” and no action has been taken against it: “We make our games very seriously, and we have absolutely no intention of infringing upon the intellectual property of other companies.”
What are the Comparisons Between Palworld and Pokémon?
The most common comparison between Palworld and Pokémon is the designs, with many videos uploaded to the web showing supposed similarities between creatures. Of course, this isn’t the first time a game has featured designs that could be compared to Pokémon. Digimon launched way back in 1997 and Temtem hit digital shelves in 2020, and these games have seen no issues. Some of the naming conventions have also been pointed out, such as Palworld’s Paldeck (which has been compared to the Pokédex), which allows players to gather information about the Pals, as well as a Pal Sphere (deemed similar to the Poké Ball) being used to capture them. What has likely accelerated this process is that 8 million people have jumped into Palworld within the first six days of its release.
It’s worth noting that Palworld is more of a survival game with base building elements, neither of which apply to Pokémon. While the internet has dubbed the game ‘Pokémon with Guns’, those who have played the title say it is closer to that of ARK: Survival Evolved, Conan Exile and Rust.
| Aspect | Palworld | Pokémon |
|---|---|---|
| Gameplay Style | Survival with base-building elements | Turn-based monster battling |
| Primary Focus | Resource management and survival | Monster catching and battling |
| Combat Mechanics | Real-time combat with third-person shooter elements | Turn-based combat system |
| World Interaction | Real-time exploration and interaction with environment | Fixed-track traversing and limited interaction |
| Roster Size | 100 carefully curated Pals | Overpopulated roster spanning multiple generations |
| Evolution Mechanics | Fusion allows for stacking or pairing Pals to produce new ones | Traditional evolution system |
| Elemental Affinities | Elements influence combat affinities and skills | Elemental types determine strengths and weaknesses |
| Online Play | Multiplayer mode with MMORPG-like features | Limited online capabilities |
| Modding Community | General mods have better chance of continuation | Official stance against Pokémon content in mods |
| Legal Issues | Facing investigation for possible IP infringement | No formal legal action taken yet |
What Does This Mean for Palworld Mods?
A now infamous Palworld mod that integrated Ash Ketchum and various Pokémon into the game was taken down shortly after it was released. The original mod was made and uploaded by ToastedShoes (real name Joe Randle), who was sent a DMCA by Nintendo. The clips have subsequently been taken down from the web. General mods that aren’t deemed to infringe any copyright, like with Pokémon, have a better chance of being able to continue in Palworld. Interestingly, Nexus Mods – one of the largest modding sites on the web – told PCGamesN that it is “not comfortable hosting” any Pokémon content surrounding Palworld.
What Could This Mean for the Future of Palworld?
Without naming the game outright, The Pokémon Company has shared its intent to investigate any copyright claims in other titles. That said, it has not formally begun any legal action against Palworld developer Pocketpair or any other developer. A great IGN article spoke to several video game lawyers, with Peter Lewis of Wiggin suggesting that a lawsuit “would depend on which country Nintendo pursued legal action in, given the differences in IP laws across the globe”. It’s hard to say at this point what the outcome of this will be. Many corners of the web are convinced that a takedown is inevitable, while others don’t think the game has copied anything outright, instead just imitated – which would likely not grant reason for a lawsuit. We have to wait and see in the coming weeks of the outcome, but in the meantime, Palworld is going nowhere.
Palworld Is Perfect for Gamers Who Wish the Pokémon Universe Was Darker:
Palworld is a charming yet violent new monster-breeding game that allows players to do almost anything they want, including shoot everything they see. Despite fans clamoring for a more fully realized world (achieved with middling success in Pokémon Legends Arceus), Pokémon games still largely limit life-like interactions between trainers, embattled monsters, and the world, instead keeping gameplay confined to turn-based combat and fixed-track traversing, even now decades into its run. Alternatively, Palworld features real-time combat (closer to a third-person shooter than Pokémon), allowing trainers to join the action with the ability to personally assist Pals in combat (launch a rocket at a flying type, anyone?). Sweetening the experience, too, is the flexibility players have with their roster of Pals. Palworld grants freedom for players to interact and walk up to Pals without causing the world to pause around them — a world they can also explore freely in any direction with or without their pals.
Palworld’s Roster Is, For Now, A Careful Curation Of Creatures:
In the wake of so many Pokémon releases spanning multiple generations, each adding to an already arguably overpopulated roster, it’s hard to find something to love in each Pokémon. Palworld’s 100 Pals are careful entries into a smaller roster of creature characters designed distinctly from other pals. Every Pal feels like a separate and distinct extension of a real-world animal or familiar legendary creature (something Pokémon has gotten further from over the years). Decades into its run, the list of Pokémon is filled with middle or secondary evolutions that fail to offer much that a standard stat boost doesn’t beyond a new design. Palworld deploys a deviation from evolution mechanics in favor of fusion, which lets players stack or carefully pair Pals to produce strong or new Pals entirely.
Elements Are The Tip Of The Ice/Water/Grass/etc. -berg:
Like Pokémon, Palworld’s cast of Pals each has an elemental nature that informs combat affinities. The elements being what they are, admittedly there are lots of crossovers here. Where Palworld differs is in imbuing a wider spectrum of skills and responsibilities onto Pals than Pokémon has ever given their critters, making understanding the element chart only a fraction of how a player can fully understand their Pal entirely. Pals have their own set of work suitability skills, which are the key to discovering Palworld’s unique traits, which, despite sometimes having a Pokémon doppelgänger, are integral parts of the resource management and survival aspects that truly define the game. By taking advantage of Pal’s skills, players can assign tasks, including but not limited to gardening, cooking, mining, and helping players maintain multiple farms and bases that proliferate the open world with their harvests.
Palworld Honors The Reality Of Its Fantasy World:
If only given a cursory glance, undermining Palworld with the moniker “Pokemon with guns” is all too easy. Despite the Pals’ appearances being a focal point of comparison, the guns they sometimes wield are a great indicator of what Palword achieves where Pokémon never did: acknowledging the ramifications of its world. The old story-telling adage is “If this is true, what else is true?” In Palworld, it’s true that the world is populated with giant creatures with special abilities and power enhancements, so it is also true that the human thugs that want to use those monsters wield intense weaponry and explosive firepower to take player parties down. Morbid-minded fans will also be relieved to know that a monster-catching world with no animals proper would still have an appetite for meat, and so Pals are not excluded from the menu.
Online Play Instills Palworld With Life:
By adding in earlier access and group resource hunting to trades and raids, Pokémon Scarlet & Violet made some headway in further deepening the franchise’s mostly disappointing online experiences. What those games still lack though, is that MMORPG-like feel of a fully populated online world, buzzing with activity. Palworld was able to deliver a world alive with people to greater effect in its first effort than Pokémon has had despite being backed by the behemoth Nintendo. Since launching, friends have been able to play online together, jointly joining guilds and setting up camps together. Anyone online can populate Palworld like a neighborhood, establishing bases and ranches near friends next-door, and be able to watch one another go about their ranch upkeep from across the way. When players traverse Palworld, not only will they see wild Pals playing or fighting with one another, but they’ll see other players going about their days, capturing and trading Pals.
