Nintendo Takes Action Against Phantom Palworld Manufacturer

Nintendo has filed a lawsuit against Pocket Pair, the developer of the popular Steam game Palworld, citing patent infringement. The game, which allows players to raise and care for creatures, has drawn comparisons to Nintendo’s own Pokémon franchise.

Nintendo Announces Lawsuit Against Pocket Pair

Palworld, released on January 19, 2024, has gained significant attention for its similarities to Pokémon. The game’s success, with over 1.3 billion hours of playtime in its first 100 days, has not gone unnoticed by Nintendo. The company has issued a statement claiming that Palworld infringes on several of its patents, including those related to the capture and training of creatures.

Netizen Analysis: Why the Delay in Filing a Lawsuit?

Many have questioned why Nintendo waited so long to file a lawsuit against Pocket Pair. Some have joked that the company was “fattening up” Palworld before “slaughtering” it, while others have suggested that Nintendo’s legal department is its “main business.” However, a more serious analysis suggests that Nintendo may have been waiting for Palworld to generate significant revenue before taking action, making it easier to sue and obtain compensation.

Potential Patent Infringement

Some Japanese netizens have pointed out that Palworld may have infringed on Nintendo’s patents related to the capture and training of creatures, including the “Poké Ball Throwing” gameplay mechanic. This has led to speculation that Nintendo’s lawsuit may be focused on these specific patents.

Comparison to Genshin Impact

Many have also questioned why Nintendo has not taken action against Genshin Impact, a game developed by MiHoYo that has been accused of having similar gameplay and graphics to Nintendo’s The Legend of Zelda. While some have suggested that Genshin Impact may not have infringed on Nintendo’s patents, others believe that the game’s similarities to Zelda are too great to ignore.

Nintendo’s History of Lawsuits

This is not Nintendo’s first lawsuit of 2024. Earlier this year, the company sued Tropic Haze, the development team behind the Nintendo Switch emulator Yuzu, for using illegal technology to crack Nintendo’s games. The Yuzu development team agreed to pay $2.4 million in compensation to settle the lawsuit. Nintendo has also sued other companies in the past, including Colopl and Maricar, earning it a reputation for having one of the strongest legal departments in the industry.