Six months after Palworld's early access launch, its developer reports no official plagiarism complaints from Nintendo. Recall that in January, The Pokémon Company announced an investigation and potential legal action against a competitor for suspected copyright infringement. However, Nintendo appears to have taken no further action. Meanwhile, Palworld developers are focused on the game's full release later this year.

Palworld, an open-world monster-catching game, features creatures called "Pals." Players capture and utilize Pals in combat, labor, and as mounts. Firearms are also integrated, serving as self-defense against hostile factions. Pals can participate in battles or perform tasks like crafting and cooking at the player's base. Each Pal possesses a unique Partner Skill. While similarities to the Pokémon franchise exist in certain mechanics and character designs, Nintendo's response has been, to date, inaction.

According to Game File, Pocketpair CEO Takuro Mizobe stated he hasn't received any complaints from Nintendo or The Pokémon Company, despite the latter's earlier public statement. Mizobe emphasized his love and respect for Pokémon, citing it as a significant part of his childhood. Despite the lack of legal action, fan comparisons between the two games persist. The recent Sakurajima update for Palworld has only intensified the "Pokémon clone" accusations.

Pocketpair CEO Denies Nintendo Copyright Complaints

In a January blog post, the Palworld CEO also explained that the game's 100 character designs originated from a 2021 graduate hire. He described her as a newly graduated illustrator who had previously failed to secure employment at nearly 100 other companies. The game's unique, humorous premise – often described as "Pokémon with guns" – led to a rapid surge in popularity after its release, largely due to its availability on platforms beyond Nintendo consoles.

Initial reactions to Palworld's trailer included speculation that the game was a hoax, partly fueled by its resemblance to the Pokémon franchise. Pocketpair has suggested a PlayStation release is forthcoming, but details regarding other consoles remain unannounced.