Six months after Palworld's early access launch, its developer reports no official plagiarism complaints 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-taming game, features creatures called "Pals." Players capture Pals for combat, labor, or mounts. Firearms are also integrated, allowing players and their Pals to defend against hostile groups. Pals can be summoned for battles or assigned base tasks like crafting and cooking. Each Pal possesses unique Partner Skills. While similarities to the Pokémon franchise exist in certain mechanics and character designs, Nintendo's response has been muted.

According to Game File, Pocketpair CEO Takuro Mizobe states he's received no communication from Nintendo or The Pokémon Company, despite the latter's initial statement. Mizobe emphasizes his childhood love for Pokémon and respect for the franchise. Regardless of legal action, comparisons between the two games persist, intensified 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 who had previously been unsuccessful in securing employment elsewhere. Palworld, described as "Pokémon with guns," gained rapid popularity due to its unique premise and availability on multiple platforms, a contrast to Pokémon's primarily Nintendo console presence.

Initial Palworld trailers sparked online speculation about its authenticity, likely fueled by its resemblance to the Pokémon franchise. Pocketpair has suggested a PlayStation release, but further console plans remain unannounced.