Legal Assurance and Success: Pocketpair’s CEO Addresses Pokémon Comparisons Surrounding Palworld, Emphasizing Serious Game Development and Distinctive Gameplay
In the wake of Palworld drawing numerous comparisons to Pokémon, particularly its “Pokémon with Guns” moniker, Pocketpair’s CEO, Takuro Mizobe, dismisses concerns of potential legal ramifications. Despite the Pokemon-esque creatures in the survival game, Mizobe emphasizes that Pocketpair approaches game development with a high level of seriousness and assures that they harbor “absolutely no intention of infringing upon the intellectual property of other companies.”
Success Amid Comparisons:
Palworld, created by Pocketpair, has rapidly gained popularity, boasting two million copies sold in a single day across PC and Xbox platforms. The game’s concurrent player count on Steam has exceeded one million.
Distinctive Features and Gameplay:
Players in Palworld engage with cute creatures called Pals, resembling Pokémon, which offer diverse abilities beyond those found in the traditional Pokémon series. The creatures aid in resource gathering, construction, and crop management. Despite the Pokémon influences, Mizobe points out that Palworld shares more similarities with Studio Wildcard’s Ark: Survival Evolved due to its open-world survival and crafting mechanics.
Legal Clarification:
Addressing potential legal concerns, Mizobe reveals in an interview with Automation that Palworld underwent legal reviews, assuring that no company has initiated legal action against them. He underscores the seriousness with which they approach game development, emphasizing the absence of any intention to infringe on other companies’ intellectual property.
Emphasis on Serious Game Development:
Mizobe’s statement emphasizes the commitment of Pocketpair to serious game development practices, reinforcing their dedication to maintaining the distinctiveness of their creations.
Focused Gameplay Elements:
While Palworld draws inspiration from Pokémon, its success and unique features set it apart, and Mizobe’s reassurance seeks to dispel worries of potential legal disputes with Nintendo or other entities. The interview positions Palworld as a game with distinctive gameplay and design elements that transcend its Pokémon-inspired components.