Pocketpair, the developer behind the popular game Palworld, has shared an update addressing the ongoing patent infringement lawsuit filed by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo. The statement was released on May 8 and talks about the company’s current legal position, the reasons behind recent in-game changes, and its plans moving forward.
The lawsuit, filed in September 2024 by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo, alleges that Palworld, released on January 19, 2024, infringes on three specific Japanese patents registered between May and August 2024. Each of these patents protects distinct game mechanics that closely resemble systems present in Palworld.
The first two patents focus on creature capture mechanics. One covers the ability to aim and throw a capture item (such as a ball) toward a wild creature, combined with a system that displays the probability of successful capture, a familiar mechanic to players of the Pokémon franchise. The second patent goes further, protecting a dual-mode system where players can either throw a capture item or release one of their own creatures for battle, depending on the selected mode. These effectively secure the combined capture-or-battle gameplay experience found in modern Pokémon games.
The third patent addresses companion-assisted traversal, particularly the use of mounts. It specifically protects the system that allows players to summon and ride creatures for movement, including the unique mechanic of calling a flying creature to mount mid-air. For example, if a player character jumps or falls from a height, they can instantly summon a winged companion to catch them and continue flying, a feature also present in Palworld through its glider Pal system.
With the lawsuit, the plaintiffs are seeking not only an injunction to halt the game’s distribution, but also damages of ¥5 million (approximately $33,000 USD) plus delay penalties from Pocketpair to both The Pokémon Company and Nintendo.
In the new lawsuit update, Palworld developers expressed appreciation for their global fanbase, acknowledging the frustration caused by the limited communication in recent months. “We apologize for not being able to share as much information as we would like, but we trust our fans understand how difficult it is to be fully transparent while litigation is ongoing,” the company stated.
Pocketpair reaffirmed its stance that Palworld does not infringe on the patents in question and further claimed that the patents themselves are invalid. Despite this defense, the team acknowledged that it was necessary to implement several game changes as precautionary measures to ensure uninterrupted development and distribution.
One major change came with Patch v0.3.11, which was released on November 30, 2024. This update removed the game’s original mechanic of summoning creatures, which are called Pals, by throwing Pal Spheres, replacing it with a system where Pals are summoned directly next to the player. “Everyone here at Pocketpair was disappointed that this adjustment had to be made, and we fully understand that many players feel the same frustration,” the developers shared. However, Pocketpair emphasized that the alternative could have led to greater deterioration of the overall gameplay experience, making the change a necessary compromise.
Further adjustments are planned with the upcoming Patch v0.5.5, which will replace gliding mechanics that currently rely on glider Pals. “Furthermore, we regret to inform our players that with the implementation of Patch v0.5.5, we must make yet another compromise.”
After the update, players will glide using a separate glider item, although Pals in the player’s team will still provide passive buffs. Pocketpair acknowledged the disappointment this may cause, stating, “We understand that this will be disappointing for many, just as it is for us, but we hope our fans understand that these changes are necessary in order to prevent further disruptions to the development of Palworld.”
The company also took the opportunity to apologize to players for the anxiety and inconvenience the legal proceedings have caused. Despite the challenges, Pocketpair says they are committed to delivering new content and continuing development.
“On behalf of everyone at Pocketpair and Team Palworld, thank you again for your continued support,” the statement closes.
As the lawsuit progresses, it remains to be seen how the legal dispute will impact the game’s long-term development and how Palworld fans will respond to these precautionary changes after the update.
Source: Palworld Official X
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