Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have filed a lawsuit against Pocketpair, the developer of the popular game Palworld, claiming patent infringement. The lawsuit centers around a key aspect of Palworld’s gameplay: its monster-catching mechanic, which bears striking similarities to Pokémon.
According to Kiyoshi Kurihara, a Japanese patent attorney, the patent in question covers a specific process for capturing monsters. It describes a method where players aim a capture item at a creature on the field, release it based on their input, and then determine if the capture is successful. This is a core element of Pokémon’s gameplay and, according to Kurihara, may be difficult for any game seeking to replicate this mechanic to avoid infringing upon.
While Palworld has been compared to Pokémon since its release, Nintendo’s lawsuit focuses on patent infringement rather than copyright. This legal strategy appears intentional, with Nintendo waiting to file the lawsuit until after the patent was approved in August, months after Palworld’s January launch.
This lawsuit has the potential to significantly impact Palworld’s future. It could force Pocketpair to significantly alter the game’s mechanics or even remove the core capture feature. The lawsuit’s impact on Palworld’s availability on platforms like Steam and Xbox is still uncertain.
Palworld has seen immense success, breaking concurrent player records and generating substantial revenue. Pocketpair has even formed a new company, Palworld Entertainment, in partnership with Sony Group Corp. to further develop the brand. Rumors are circulating that Palworld is set to launch on PlayStation, with an announcement potentially coming at the Tokyo Game Show, scheduled for September 26-29.
The lawsuit’s outcome will be closely watched by both the gaming community and the legal industry. It highlights the importance of intellectual property protection and the potential impact of patent infringement claims on the development and release of video games.
