If you haven’t turned on your internet within the past week, a new game called Palworld released recently. First announced in 2022, Palworld features guns, and guns being shot at the creatures of the game, ‘Pals’. What’s gotten everyone into a frenzy is, in part, the Pals themselves – they undeniably look a lot like Pokémon designs. Some other concerns have popped up as well, but a major point of discussion was where the line could be drawn here in terms of inspiration, parody, and plagiarism. Meanwhile, it has sold millions of copies (one million within the first 8 hours of release), and many have pointed out that the early-access game does perform better than the recent Pokémon Scarlet and Violet titles.

I don't got any hate currently against PalWorld but we can't deny that A LOT of these designs were ripped from Pokemon, some almost identical https://t.co/iUHixSrqDx pic.twitter.com/mNUtzUOADO

— Bun (@GodmasterBun) January 19, 2024

While the only takedown thus far has been in relation to a mod that did outright place Pokémon models into Palworld, The Pokémon Company (TPC) has today issued a statement, complete with English translation.

We have received many inquiries regarding another company’s game released in January 2024. We have not granted any permission for the use of Pokémon intellectual property or assets in that game. We intend to investigate and take appropriate measures to address any acts that infringe on intellectual property rights related to the Pokémon. We will continue to cherish and nurture each and every Pokémon and its world, and work to bring the world together through Pokémon in the future.

The Pokémon Company

No points for what game they are referring to! One will have to wait and see if anything further comes of this investigation, but such a statement has not been made before.

The last sentence is also a bit… well, odd and unnecessary, to be honest, but it may have been made to really make it clear how different TPC tries to market their product compared to Palworld, with its survival-based gameplay featuring shooting Pals, catching them to put them to work, and so forth.

What are your thoughts on Palworld and this statement by TPC?

Edited by Zach.