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The Pokémon Company probes Palworld's similarities

Jan 25, 2024 9:48 AM

The Pokémon Company has publicly addressed concerns about recently released game Palworld, which players have noted bears strong resemblances to the Pokémon franchise, particularly in the design of the creatures known as 'pals'. In their statement, the company has categorically denied granting permission for the use of their Pokémon intellectual property or assets in the other company's game and stated they plan to investigate and address any infringement.

Palworld, launched last Friday on Steam, Xbox consoles, and Game Pass, has already witnessed more than eight million sales, marking a successful debut. Its developer, Pocketpair, has announced plans for future updates amidst this high demand.

Is Palworld an official Pokémon game?nNo, Palworld is not an official Pokémon game, nor is it affiliated with The Pokémon Company or Nintendo. It is developed by Pocketpair and has drawn attention due to its similarities with the Pokémon series.

Extra Background Information: Palworld is often described as a multiplayer, open-world survival crafting game where players can befriend, breed, and battle creatures similar to Pokémon, known as 'pals'. The game's design and gameplay mechanics have led to comparisons to Pokémon, sparking controversy and leading to The Pokémon Company's current stance and investigation.



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Jordan Keats

Jordan Keats is a former professional gamer turned journalist, whose competitive background gives them a unique perspective on esports and multiplayer games. Jordan's expertise in strategy and game mechanics is unmatched, offering readers a deeper understing.

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Rolling R!ck Rolling R!ck commented on: 2024-01-25 10:30:25
Gotta say, the heat Palworld's catching for its 'creative inspiration' from Pokémon is no surprise; it's a thin line between homage and infringement, and it looks like The Pokémon Company's about to measure that with a ruler. Still, those sales numbers show Pocketpair tapped into a crafter-collector vein that's got gamers hooked; let's see if they can evolve beyond the controversy.
Mr. Bison Mr. Bison commented on: 2024-01-25 10:15:08
Looks like the line between homage and infringement is as blurry as ever in the gaming world, with Palworld riding that wave amidst skyrocketing sales. The Pokémon Company has every right to be miffed, but with eight million units moved, it's clear that gamers are eating up the familiar-yet-different vibes Pocketpair is serving.
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