Palworld Reaches 32M Players Amid Nintendo's Looming Pokémon Lawsuit

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 taken the gaming world by storm. Developer Pocketpair expressed their gratitude on social media, stating, “Thank you so much! 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 debuted on Steam for $30 and was simultaneously available on Xbox and PC through Game Pass. The launch not only broke sales records but also set new highs for concurrent player numbers. Pocketpair's CEO, Takuro Mizobe, admitted that the game's success overwhelmed the company, as they struggled to manage the massive profits generated. In response, Pocketpair quickly capitalized on Palworld’s breakout success by signing a deal with Sony to establish Palworld Entertainment, a new venture focused on expanding the IP and launching the game on PS5.

While Pocketpair diligently works on updates for Palworld, a high-profile patent lawsuit with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company casts a shadow over their achievements. Following Palworld’s launch, some accused Pocketpair of copying Pokémon designs, leading to comparisons between Palworld’s Pals and Pokémon. Instead of pursuing a copyright infringement lawsuit, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company opted for a patent lawsuit, demanding 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 capturing creatures in a virtual field. Palworld features a similar mechanic where players throw a Pal Sphere to capture monsters, reminiscent of the 2022 Nintendo Switch game, Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Recently, Pocketpair made adjustments to how players summon Pals, prompting speculation that these changes were influenced by the ongoing patent infringement lawsuit.

Patent experts view Nintendo and The Pokémon Company’s lawsuit against Pocketpair as a sign of the significant threat posed by Palworld. The gaming community is keenly watching the lawsuit to see who will prevail, although a settlement could occur. Pocketpair remains steadfast, promising to defend their position in court, stating, “We will continue to assert our position in this case through future legal proceedings.”

Despite the legal challenges, Pocketpair has continued to release major updates for Palworld and has even pursued collaborations with other major video games, including a crossover with Terraria.