Nintendo's legal eagles swoop in on Palworld mod

A recent update in the gaming world revealed that Nintendo or The Pokemon Company might be taking legal action against mods for the game Palworld that incorporate elements of Pokemon. Notably, modders had begun introducing Pokemon-inspired characters and creatures into Palworld, a game that already shares visual and gameplay similarities with the Pokemon series. Content creator ToastedShoes, known for his modding videos, had his content taken down due to copyright strikes, which hints at the actions by the aforementioned gaming giants.

Palworld, launched just a few days ago, has become popular quickly, boasting five million copies sold in only three days and achieving the status of the second most played paid game in terms of concurrent users on Steam. The game, while often cheekily compared to "Pokemon with guns," is fundamentally a survival game that differs from the traditional Pokemon gameplay.

Is Palworld similar to Pokemon?

Yes, Palworld shares certain aesthetic and gameplay similarities with the Pokemon series, such as creature designs and capturing mechanics. However, Palworld distinguishes itself with a unique survival gameplay experience and is not affiliated with Nintendo or The Pokemon Company.

In further context, Palworld, developed by Pocketpair, is an indie action-adventure and survival game that debuted on the PC platform. It allows players to collect and battle with creatures known as Pals, very much reminiscent of the Pokemon franchise, but with a distinct twist that includes more mature themes such as crafting, building, and combat with firearms. The game's attempt to blend the cute appeal of collectible creatures with the harshness of survival has led to its viral popularity and mass sales.