The Pokémon Company has released a statement indicating that it has not authorized the use of Pokémon intellectual property or assets by Pocketpair, the developer of the rapidly growing game Palworld. The company plans to investigate and take necessary actions against the game developer.
This is the first public acknowledgment by the Pokémon Company of Palworld, a survival game that has sold over 8 million copies in fewer than six days, outperforming even the most popular AAA titles. However, the game has attracted criticism, particularly from the fans of Japan’s legendary Pokémon, due to perceived plagiarism and similarity. Despite this, the game has resonated with players thanks to its fusion of monster collecting, automation, and survival/crafting mechanics.
Palworld, available on PCs via Steam and on Xbox, taps into a demand for a modern take on the monster taming genre that Pokémon arguably created but has failed to significantly evolve. Whether driven by genuine interest or a desire to challenge the stagnation of Pokémon games distributed by Nintendo, gamers have flocked to Palworld for its fresh take on the genre.
Pocketpair, the developer of Palworld, has insisted that its game more closely resembles titles such as Ark Survival than Pokémon. The company’s CEO, Takuro Mizobe, has also been vocal about receiving slanderous comments and even death threats on social media.
On Thursday, The Pokémon Company posted a statement on its website stating, “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.”
The statement also emphasizes the company’s commitment to protecting its intellectual property rights and the world of Pokémon.
