Six months after Palworld's early access launch, its developer reports no official plagiarism complaint from Nintendo. Recall that in January, The Pokémon Company announced an investigation into potential copyright infringement by a competitor, hinting at legal action. However, Nintendo appears to have taken no further steps. Meanwhile, Palworld's 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 Pals through combat, using them for fighting, labor, or as mounts. Firearms are also integrated, usable by both players and Pals for self-defense against hostile groups. Pals can be deployed in battles or assigned base tasks like crafting and cooking. Each Pal possesses a unique Partner Skill. While certain Palworld mechanics and character designs bear resemblance to the Pokémon series, Nintendo's response has been notably absent.

According to Game File, Pocketpair CEO Takuro Mizobe states he's received no communication from Nintendo or The Pokémon Company, despite the latter's earlier public statement. Mizobe emphasizes his love and respect for Pokémon, citing it as a formative influence. Regardless of legal action, fan comparisons between the two games persist, fueled further by Palworld's recent Sakurajima update.

Pocketpair CEO Rejects Nintendo's Copyright Claims

A January blog post by the Palworld CEO revealed that the game's 100+ character designs originated from a 2021 hire, a recent graduate. The game's unique premise, often described as "Pokémon with guns," contributed to its immediate popularity after release, appealing to fans seeking an open-world monster-catching game on platforms beyond Nintendo consoles.

Initial Palworld trailers sparked online speculation about its authenticity due to its strong similarities to the Pokémon franchise. Pocketpair has suggested a PlayStation release, but further console plans remain unannounced.