The Pokémon Company to Investigate Copycat Claims Against Multiplayer Game Palworld
The Pokémon Company announced plans to investigate allegations of copyright infringement against the popular online multiplayer game, Palworld. After fans pointed out similarities between the new title and the Pokémon franchise, the company stated that it would take appropriate action to address any potential breaches of its intellectual property rights.
Palworld, developed by Pocketpair, quickly gained attention for its unique gameplay and design, leading to comparisons with the Pokémon series. Despite its legal checks before release, the game faced copycat accusations due to the striking resemblance of its creatures to those in the Pokémon universe.
While the Pokémon Company did not directly name Palworld in its statement, it referred to “another company’s game released in January 2024” and emphasized that it had not granted permission for the use of its intellectual property or assets.
The situation escalated when an Australian YouTuber claimed that Nintendo issued a copyright claim against him after posting a video of Pokémon characters within Palworld. The widespread interest in the game resulted in 8 million copies sold since its “early access” release last Friday, with players praising its graphics, varied gameplay elements, and creature collection.
Despite the game’s success, the Pocketpair team acknowledged that the launch exceeded their expectations, leading to server crashes. They assured players that they were working to address these issues caused by the overwhelming interest in the game.
Historically, contentious issues related to copyright infringement in the gaming industry have sparked legal battles and industry-wide discussions. Games with similar themes and designs to well-established franchises often face scrutiny and legal action, highlighting the importance of protecting intellectual property rights in the gaming sector.