Palworld Launches with a Bang, But Faces Pokémon Company's Scrutiny

Exploring the Phenomenal Success and Potential Legal Challenges of the 'Pokémon with Guns' Game

NEWS  Games  January 25, 2024  Reading time: 2 Minute(s)

Max (RS editor)

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Palworld, a survival game that has taken the gaming community by storm with its unique blend of creature collecting and gunplay, is currently continuing to experience an explosive launch, amassing millions of players within days of its early access release. However, amidst the fervor surrounding its success, the game is facing a significant hurdle as The Pokémon Company has officially announced an investigation into potential intellectual property infringements.

The Pokémon Company's Response

In an official statement, The Pokémon Company addressed the growing speculation and fan discourse regarding Palworld's use of Pokémon-inspired designs for its creatures.

The company made it clear that it has not granted any permission for the use of Pokémon intellectual property or assets in Palworld. The statement emphasizes their commitment to protecting their intellectual property rights and signifies their intent to take appropriate measures against any infringements.

Legal Uncertainty

As the gaming community eagerly awaits the outcome of The Pokémon Company's investigation, questions linger about the potential consequences for Palworld developer Pocket Pair. The timeframe for the investigation and the nature of the measures The Pokémon Company may take remain unclear. The stakes are high, and the gaming industry is watching closely to see how this situation unfolds.

Palworld's Unabated Success

Despite the legal challenges, Palworld continues to shatter engagement records. Steam's concurrent player numbers have exceeded eight million, showcasing the game's popularity on the PC platform.

While specific figures for Xbox platforms are not disclosed, Palworld dominates the charts on Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Game Pass. The juxtaposition of legal uncertainty and skyrocketing success adds a layer of complexity to the narrative surrounding this ambitious game.

#Palworld has sold over 8 million copies in less than 6 days!

Thank you very much!!

As stated previously, we continue to work at full-speed on addressing bugs and issues!
Thanks for your support!#Pocketpair pic.twitter.com/4PLB1J4CYH

— Palworld (@Palworld_EN) January 25, 2024

Pocket Pair's Vision for the Future

In the midst of these developments, Pocket Pair has provided gamers with a glimpse into the future of Palworld. A recently shared roadmap outlines upcoming content updates for the early access experience.

Planned improvements include enhancements to Pal AI and pathing, the introduction of PVP combat, challenging raid bosses, and the integration of crossplay between Steam and Xbox platforms. Despite the ongoing legal scrutiny, the development team remains committed to delivering a rich and evolving gaming experience.

 IMAGES CREDIT: THE POKEMON COMPANY | POCKET PAIR