Nintendo, Pokémon Company file patent lawsuit against Palworld developer

Date:

Share post:



Japan’s Nintendo said Thursday it has filed a lawsuit accusing the developer of a video game jokingly dubbed “Pokémon with guns” of patent infringement.

Nintendo and The Pokémon Company are suing Pocketpair, the Japan-based studio behind the “Palworld” game that became a viral hit when its prototype was released in January.

“Palworld”—which sold more than five million copies in just three days—features weapon-wielding player avatars and monsters that look similar to the creatures of Nintendo’s wildly popular “Pokémon” franchise.

A Nintendo statement said the companies had “filed a patent infringement lawsuit in the Tokyo District Court against Pocketpair” on Wednesday.

“This lawsuit seeks an injunction against infringement and compensation for damages on the grounds that Palworld… infringes multiple patent rights,” it said.

The statement did not specify how much compensation was being sought.

Nintendo added it would “take necessary actions against any infringement of its intellectual property rights” to protect what it has “worked hard to establish over the years”.

“Palworld” is still in development but an “early access version” costs $29.99 for US customers on the online Steam platform.

“Fight, farm, build and work alongside mysterious creatures called ‘Pals’ in this completely new multiplayer, open world survival and crafting game!” its description states.

Initial reviews of the game were positive, although many pointed out the eerie resemblance of the “Pals” to Pokémon characters, with critics and users nicknaming it “Pokémon with guns”.

“Most people, myself included, thought this game was going to be a meme,” the account of game developer Pirate Software said in one review left on Steam.

“It’s actually insanely detailed, extremely well optimised, and compelling as hell.”

AFP has contacted Pocketpair for comment.

Pokémon has been a global hit since it was launched as a role-playing game in 1996 for Nintendo’s Game Boy console.

The franchise, whose slogan is “Gotta Catch ‘Em All”, also includes movies and a hugely popular animated TV show.

Recommended newsletter
Data Sheet: Stay on top of the business of tech with thoughtful analysis on the industry’s biggest names.
Sign up here.

LEAVE A REPLY

Please enter your comment!
Please enter your name here

Related articles

Chubb: A Profitable Global Insurer With An Overheated Bull Run, Awaiting Cooler Days

Much like AIG, Chubb is one of those anchor stocks I would consider for a...

5 Compliance Trends to Look for in Plan Year 2025

This post is part of a series sponsored by...

10 Steps for Profitable Home Based Clothing Businesses in 2024

For the past five years, I've successfully run an online clothing and decor shop from home. No...

MDY ETF: Growth Will Outperform The S&P 500 Index (NYSEARCA:MDY)

Investor Takeaway MDY should benefit from the eventual rate cuts by the Federal Reserve. The...