Palworld Reaches 32M Players Amid Nintendo's looming Pokémon Lawsuit

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 from developer Pocketpair has become a massive hit.

"Thank you so much!" Pocketpair expressed in a tweet. "As always, your support means the world to us!"

"We will continue to work hard to make Palworld year 2 even better!" added Pocketpair Communications Director and Publishing Manager John 'Bucky' Buckley.

Launched on Steam for $30 and simultaneously added to Game Pass on Xbox and PC, *Palworld* shattered sales and concurrent player number records. The game's overwhelming success led Pocketpair boss Takuro Mizobe to admit that the developer struggled to manage the massive profits generated. Seizing the opportunity, Pocketpair swiftly signed a deal with Sony to establish Palworld Entertainment, a new business focused on expanding the IP and launching the game on PS5.

Amid ongoing efforts to update *Palworld*, a high-profile patent lawsuit with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company looms large. Following *Palworld*'s launch, comparisons were drawn between its Pals and Pokémon, with accusations of design copying. Instead of pursuing copyright infringement, 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 related to catching Pokémon in a virtual field that they are being sued over. *Palworld* does feature a similar mechanic, where players use a ball-like object called a Pal Sphere to capture monsters in the field, reminiscent of the 2022 Nintendo Switch exclusive *Pokémon Legends: Arceus*. Recently, Pocketpair modified the way players summon Pals, sparking speculation that the change was connected to the patent infringement lawsuit.

Patent experts view Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's lawsuit against Pocketpair as evidence of the perceived threat posed by *Palworld*. The outcome of this legal battle remains uncertain, with Pocketpair firmly committed to defending its position in court: "We will continue to assert our position in this case through future legal proceedings."

Despite the legal challenges, Pocketpair has not slowed down, continuing to release major updates for *Palworld* and forging ahead with collaborations, including a notable crossover with *Terraria*.