Palworld, a multiplayer, open-world, survival, and crafting game, has taken the gaming community by storm ever since its release on 19th January 2024. With many gamers around the world touting it as a combination of Pokemon and the cut-throat survival mechanics of popular open-world games, it was only a matter of time before The Pokemon Company intervened, and they did.
The Pokemon Company has released a statement saying that they are carrying out an investigation. So, if things go the way many Pokemon fans thought they would, Palworld might find themselves in plenty of legal troubles henceforth.
What Did The Pokemon Company Say?
Exactly six days after Palworld’s release, on 25th January 2024, The Pokemon Company issued a statement saying,
We have received many inquiries regarding another company’s game released in January 2024. We have not granted any permission for the use of Pokémon intellectual property or assets in that game. We intend to investigate and take appropriate measures to address any acts that infringe on intellectual property rights related to the Pokémon. We will continue to cherish and nurture each and every Pokémon and its world, and work to bring the world together through Pokémon in the future.
The implications of this statement seem pretty obvious. Either Palworld will have to change or modify certain copyright-infringing elements or both the games could coexist. However, all of this is mere speculation as there is yet to be any response from Pocketpair or a follow-up from The Pokemon Company. However, one thing is certain, Palworld certainly isn’t going anywhere.
According to the official Palworld X account, the game has sold 7 million copies in its opening 5 days. The game, which has been dubbed “Pokemon with guns” by gamers globally has hit figures that can give any triple-A franchise release a run for its money. It is to be noted that these 7 million copies exclude the players who are playing the game via Xbox passes. So, the impressive bit about the sales figure is that it is solely Steam sales.
Moreover, Palworld already has the second-highest concurrent player record on Steam as 1.8 million gamers accessed the game over the last weekend. So, a game of that popularity, even if it is eventually discontinued, will manage to make a comeback, maybe in a separate shell altogether.
Palworld and Pokemon: Clone or Sibling?
Palworld certainly draws heavily from Pokemon. Be it the concept of catching monsters or the visual resemblances, it will be hard to deny that Palworld is not inspired by Pokemon. However, that is not all that game has to offer. In fact, a closer inspection would reveal that Palworld is a much darker shade than the usually wholesome Pokemon franchise.
With guns being an integral part of the game machinery, one could easily argue that alone makes the game different. In addition, there are base building, resource gathering, and item production that make it more like Stardew Valley. However, the essential core for both Palworld and Pokemon remains the same – the creature you collect and level up along the way.
Without any obstruction to its march, Palworld is likely to become a global sensation, if it isn’t already. However, that might not be the case if The Pokemon Company’s statement is anything to go by. Gamers around the world can be assured of something – 2024 is going to be a dramatic year for the gaming community if January is looked at as a reference.
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