Pokemon Company Takes Legal Action Amidst Palworld's Rising Success

In response to the skyrocketing success of the survival game Palworld, The Pokemon Company has issued an official statement asserting its intent to investigate and address any potential infringement on intellectual property rights related to Pokemon. While not explicitly mentioning Palworld by name, the statement is widely perceived to be directed at the game, which has sold an impressive 8 million copies in less than six days.

The Pokemon Company expressed concern over the unauthorized use of Pokemon intellectual property or assets in the rival game released in January 2024. The statement emphasizes the commitment to preserving and nurturing the unique world of Pokemon while pledging to take appropriate measures against any infringements.

Palworld developer, Pocketpair, has defended its game, likening it more to titles such as Ark Survival Evolved and Vanaheim rather than Pokemon. Despite this, the team revealed they have been subjected to death threats since the game's launch on January 19. Pocketpair CEO Takuro Mizobe stated in an interview that the game underwent legal scrutiny, with no legal actions taken against the company for infringement.

The Pokemon Company has already initiated actions against modders replacing Palworld's creatures with Pokemon, and Nexus Mods has decided not to host Pokemon mods for Palworld due to apprehensions about potential legal repercussions from Nintendo. Despite the ongoing controversy, Palworld has gained significant acclaim for its irreverent and entertaining gameplay, earning high praise in its Early Access state. The future of Palworld promises exciting updates, including PvP, raid bosses, and new islands.