Nintendo sues ‘Pokémon with guns’ video game firm
Nintendo and its partner, The Pokémon Company, have initiated legal action against the creators of the popular survival adventure game Palworld, alleging patent infringement.
Palworld earned the nickname “Pokémon with guns” following its debut trailer in 2021.
Shortly after the game’s release in January this year, The Pokémon Company announced it would investigate the claims of imitation.
The developer of Palworld, Pocketpair Inc, has not yet responded to a BBC News request for comment. The company’s head had previously asserted that the game had passed legal evaluations.
According to statements from Nintendo and The Pokémon Company, Palworld “violates multiple patent rights.”
The lawsuit seeks both an injunction to stop the infringement and compensation for damages.
Since its launch, Palworld has quickly gained popularity, amassing over 25 million players within a month. Like the Pokémon franchise, it focuses on collecting unique creatures with various abilities.
Pocketpair’s website describes the game as seamlessly integrating “elements of battle, monster-capturing, training, and base building.”
Players, known as “pal-tamers”, travel around a large map battling human foes and creatures known as “pals” which can be captured and recruited.
The monsters can either fight alongside the player in battles, or be put to work at a base, crafting supplies and items for use in the field.
In January, The Pokémon Company said it planned to investigate claims that Palworld had copied its games, after fans pointed out similarities.
The Pokémon Company said at the time it would take “appropriate action” if it found its copyright had been breached.
