Palworld Reaches 32M Players Amid Nintendo Pokémon Lawsuit Threat

Since its early access launch in January 2024, Palworld has captivated over 32 million players across PC via Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation 5. Dubbed "Pokémon with guns" before its record-breaking release, the crafting and survival game from developer Pocketpair has achieved a remarkable milestone.

"Thank you so much!" Pocketpair expressed in a tweet. "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 at $30 and was immediately available on Game Pass for Xbox and PC. Its launch shattered sales and concurrent player number records. Pocketpair's CEO, Takuro Mizobe, admitted the game's launch overwhelmed the company with massive profits. In response, Pocketpair quickly capitalized on the game's success by signing a deal with Sony to create Palworld Entertainment, a new business focused on expanding the IP and bringing the game to PS5.

As Pocketpair continues to update Palworld, the looming high-profile patent lawsuit from Nintendo and The Pokémon Company adds tension. Following Palworld's massive launch, comparisons to Pokémon led to accusations of design copying. Instead of pursuing a copyright infringement lawsuit, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company opted for a patent lawsuit, seeking 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 involve capturing Pokémon in a virtual field. Palworld includes a similar mechanic with the Pal Sphere, akin to the one in the 2022 Nintendo Switch exclusive, Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Pocketpair recently adjusted how players summon Pals, leading to speculation that this change was related to the patent lawsuit.

Patent experts view Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's lawsuit against Pocketpair as a sign of the threat Palworld poses. The outcome of this legal battle is eagerly anticipated, with Pocketpair firmly committed to defending their position in court. "We will continue to assert our position in this case through future legal proceedings," they stated.

Despite the legal challenges, Pocketpair has not slowed down, releasing significant updates for Palworld and forging collaborations with other major video games, including a crossover with Terraria.