Palworld Reaches 32M Players Amid Nintendo Pokémon Lawsuit Threat

Palworld has achieved a staggering milestone, amassing over 32 million players across various platforms since its early access debut in January 2024. The game, developed by Pocketpair and humorously referred to as “Pokémon with guns,” has captivated audiences on PC via Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation 5.

Pocketpair expressed their gratitude on Twitter, stating, “Thank you so much! As always, your support means the world to us!” They are committed to enhancing the game further, with John 'Bucky' Buckley, Communications Director and Publishing Manager at Pocketpair, adding, “We will continue to work hard to make Palworld year 2 even better!”

Launched at a price of $30 on Steam and included in Game Pass for Xbox and PC, Palworld shattered sales and concurrent player records upon release. The overwhelming success led Pocketpair's CEO, Takuro Mizobe, to admit that the company was initially overwhelmed by the game's profitability. In a strategic move to expand the Palworld universe, Pocketpair partnered with Sony to create Palworld Entertainment, focusing on broadening the IP and bringing the game to the PlayStation 5.

Amidst ongoing development, Pocketpair faces a significant legal challenge. Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have filed a high-profile patent lawsuit against Pocketpair, claiming infringement on three Japan-based patents related to capturing Pokémon in a virtual field. This lawsuit, seeking 5 million yen (approximately $32,846) each from Pocketpair, plus additional damages and an injunction to halt Palworld's distribution, stems from similarities between Palworld's Pal Sphere mechanic and the Pokémon capturing method seen in Pokémon Legends: Arceus.

Pocketpair acknowledged the patents in question and recently adjusted the Pal summoning mechanics, a change some speculate is linked to the lawsuit. Legal experts view this action by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company as a response to the competitive threat posed by Palworld. Pocketpair remains resolute, prepared to defend its position in court, stating, “We will continue to assert our position in this case through future legal proceedings.”

Despite these legal battles, Pocketpair has not slowed down, continuing to roll out significant updates for Palworld and exploring collaborations, such as one with the popular game Terraria.