Pocketpair CEO Takuro Mizobe Confessed Their Game Shares More With a Renowned Non-Nintendo MMORPG, Not Pokémon

The popular creature-collecting game Palworld took the world by storm this year. But it hasn’t been without controversy. There have been heavy comparisons between it and Pokémon since the game first came out in January 2024. And now it has gone to the next level.

On September 18, 2024, Nintendo, alongside The Pokémon Company, officially filed a lawsuit against Pocketpair, alleging patent infringement due to the striking similarities between Palworld’s creatures and iconic Pokémon designs. Pocketpair’s CEO Takuro Mizobe has already stated previously that the game takes inspiration from a different game entirely.

Palworld Gameplay Was Inspired By a Completely Different Game

Despite Palworld‘s overwhelming success since its release in January 2024, the game has constantly faced scrutiny over its uncanny similarities to Pokémon. With creatures called Pals that bear a striking resemblance to certain Pokémon, it’s no wonder that there were raised concerns.

CEO Takuro Mizobe talked about this in several interviews leading up to the game’s release, including one with Automaton. Mizobe made it clear that the game isn’t just about collecting creatures and battling them, as many assumed based on its initial trailers.

Nintendo w/ The Pokemon Company have filed a patent infringement lawsuit in the Tokyo District Court against Pocketpair Inc.

This lawsuit seeks an injunction against infringement and compensation for damages on the grounds that Palworld, a game developed and released by the… pic.twitter.com/5BAt6Q7a35

— Wario64 (@Wario64) September 18, 2024

While Pokémon was a major influence, Mizobe explained that Ark: Survival Evolved was a more fitting comparison in terms of mechanics and overall gameplay. Like Ark, Palworld is a survival first, with players needing to gather resources, build bases, and fend off any dangers, something Pokémon is nowhere close to.

They would rather waste time on this than actually making good games 😭

— Redhibition ✧ (@Redhibition) September 18, 2024

Mizobe went on to say that while the monster-collecting element in their game might be reminiscent of Pokémon, the similarities end there. In Palworld, players use Pals not just for battle but for labor, crafting, and even as food sources.

Nintendo Always Strikes Back When You Least Expect It

The legal troubles with Nintendo aren’t entirely unexpected. As early as January 2024, the Pokémon Company began investigating potential copyright infringements. Fans had already pointed out that some Pals looked eerily similar to their favorite Pokémon characters. But with how silent the situation eventually got, many people thought the matter would be dropped completely.

Nintendo’s legal response, however, suggests otherwise. Filed on September 18, the lawsuit accuses Pocketpair of infringing on multiple patents and seeks both an injunction and compensation for damages. Nintendo has a long history of cracking down on games that resemble its own creations.

Regarding the Lawsuit

Yesterday, a lawsuit was filed against our company for patent infringement.

We have received notice of this lawsuit and will begin the appropriate legal proceedings and investigations into the claims of patent infringement.

At this moment, we are unaware…

— Palworld (@Palworld_EN) September 19, 2024

For many fans, the real question is; why did Nintendo take so long to act? The game has been available on platforms such as Steam and Xbox for months. It even sold five million copies within its first three days of release. Players loved the game’s chaotic mix of combat and creature collection, but Nintendo remained silent until now.

If Nintendo and The Pokémon Company are successful in their lawsuit, it could lead to the game being delisted or altered significantly to avoid further patent infringements. But for now, the devs are continuing to develop and update the game, despite the threat of legal action.

What do you think will be the outcome of this situation? Let us know in the comments!