Pocketpair To Team Up With Hi-Fi Rush’s Savior For A Mobile Launch Despite Nintendo’s Lawsuit

In a surprising turn of events, Pocketpair, the studio behind the controversial yet wildly successful creature-collecting game Palworld, has announced a new partnership that could change the landscape of mobile gaming. Despite facing a high-profile lawsuit from Nintendo, it seems that Pocketpair is not ready to throw in the towel just yet.

Enter Krafton, the South Korean publisher known for global hits like PUBG and The Callisto Protocol, as well as its recent acquisition of Tango Gameworks, the studio behind The Evil Within series, Ghostwire: Tokyo, and the critically acclaimed Hi-Fi Rush.

A Match Made in Gaming Heaven?

According to a recent press release from Krafton, the two companies have signed a license agreement to bring the Palworld IP to mobile devices. This move comes as a surprise to many, given the ongoing legal battle between Pocketpair and Nintendo, which has accused the former of infringing on multiple patent rights with Palworld.

However, it seems that Krafton sees potential in the quirky, creature-collecting survival game that has taken the gaming world by storm. With over 25 million players in just one month since its release, Palworld has proven that there is a hungry audience for its unique blend of base-building, creature battling, and open-world exploration.

By partnering with Krafton, Pocketpair gains access to the publisher’s extensive expertise in mobile game development and publishing. Krafton’s track record speaks for itself, with PUBG Mobile becoming one of the most successful mobile games of all time, boasting over a billion downloads worldwide.

Navigating Legal Troubles and Expanding Horizons

Of course, the elephant in the room is the ongoing lawsuit from Nintendo. While details of the case are still emerging, some experts believe that Japanese gaming giant may have a strong case—particularly when it comes to certain gameplay mechanics that bear a striking resemblance to those found in the Pokémon series.

However, others argue that Palworld has enough unique elements to differentiate itself from Nintendo’s flagship franchise. As patent analyst Florian Mueller told Game Rant, Nintendo may “do some damage in Japan, but probably not outside,” and that the game “probably infringe[s] on nothing that can withstand a serious court review.”

Regardless of the outcome of the lawsuit, it’s clear that Pocketpair is not content to rest on its laurels. By partnering with Krafton to bring Palworld to mobile devices, the studio is signaling its intention to expand its reach and explore new opportunities.

It’s worth noting that Krafton has a history of taking on ambitious projects and nurturing creative talent. Its acquisition of Tango Gameworks, after the studio was unceremoniously shut down by Microsoft, is a prime example of this. With Hi-Fi Rush 2 already in development under Krafton’s wing, it’s clear that the publisher has big plans for the future.

As for Palworld, only time will tell how its legal troubles with Nintendo will play out. But one thing is for sure: with Krafton in its corner, Pocketpair is not backing down anytime soon. The mobile gaming world better be ready for what’s coming next!

What do you think about Pocketpair’s partnership with Krafton? Do you think Palworld has what it takes to thrive on mobile devices, or will Nintendo’s lawsuit spell trouble for the upstart studio? Let us know your thoughts in the comments below!