The video game Palworlddeveloped by Pocketpair, has launched the patch v0.5.5 this Thursday, May 8, bringing with it a significant change: players will now have to use a glider instead of relying on the Pals to glide through the air. This modification responds directly to the legal actions facing the company.
A decision forced by Nintendo's lawsuit
In an official statement, pocketpair confirmed that this and other recent decisions are due to the patent infringement lawsuit presented by nintendo and The Pokémon Company. The company stated that it was forced to “make certain commitments to avoid disruptions to the development and distribution” of the game.
Additionally, the company acknowledged that changes previously implemented in the patch v0.3.11 —such as the elimination of the launch of the Pal Spheres to summon the Pals— were also a consequence of this litigation. Instead, summons are now performed statically at the player's side.
What do Nintendo and The Pokémon Company allege?
The lawsuit, filed on September 18, 2024 before the Tokyo District Courtseeks compensation of 5 million yen (approximately $32,700) plus interest. The patents involved relate to:
- Aim an object at a character, such as throwing a Pokéball.
- Capture creatures in an open environment.
- Ride creatures to move.
Palworld continues to grow despite obstacles
Despite the legal tensions, Palworld continues its expansion. Since its release in early access in Steam in January 2024the game has exceeded 25 million players in its first month. It has also been released on platforms such as PlayStation 5 in 68 regions, including Japan since October 4, and in macOS since March 4.
The game now has cross-platform play and transfer of Pals between worlds. Additionally, in July 2024, Sony Music Entertainment Japan, Aniplex and pocketpair founded the joint venture Palworld Entertainment to continue expanding the franchise. More recently, the South Korean company Krafton signed an agreement to bring IP to the mobile market.
For now, Pocketpair asks for players' understanding, reiterating that these measures are necessary to ensure the future of the game as it continues to face the judicial process.
