Palworld Reaches 32M Players in Year 1 Amid Nintendo Pokémon Legal Threats

Since its early access launch in January 2024, Palworld has attracted over 32 million players across all platforms, including PC via Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation 5. Dubbed "Pokémon with guns" before its record-breaking release, the crafting and survival game has captured the attention of gamers worldwide.

"Thank you so much!" Pocketpair expressed on X (formerly Twitter). "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 launched on Steam for $30 and was immediately available on Game Pass for Xbox and PC. The game's launch shattered sales and concurrent player number records. Pocketpair's CEO, Takuro Mizobe, admitted that the developer was overwhelmed by the massive profits generated. In response, Pocketpair quickly signed a deal with Sony to establish Palworld Entertainment, aimed at expanding the IP and bringing the game to PS5.

While Pocketpair continues to enhance Palworld with updates, a looming high-profile patent lawsuit with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company presents a significant challenge. Following Palworld's massive launch, accusations surfaced that Pocketpair had "ripped off" Pokémon designs, prompting comparisons between Palworld's Pals and Pokémon. 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 it is being sued over, which focus on capturing Pokémon in a virtual field. Palworld features a similar mechanic where players throw a Pal Sphere at monsters in a field to capture them, reminiscent of the mechanic in the 2022 Nintendo Switch exclusive, Pokémon Legends: Arceus. Recently, Pocketpair modified how players summon Pals, with speculation suggesting the change relates to the patent infringement lawsuit.

Patent experts view Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's lawsuit against Pocketpair as evidence of the competitive threat posed by Palworld. The legal battle has drawn significant attention, with Pocketpair determined to defend its position in court, stating, "We will continue to assert our position in this case through future legal proceedings."

Despite the ongoing legal challenges, Pocketpair has not slowed down, continuing to release major updates for Palworld and forging collaborations with other popular video games, including a crossover with Terraria.