The Pokemon Company has officially announced its intention to investigate the new viral survival game "Palworld" and take appropriate measures against its developer Pocketpair.
According to TechCrunch, this revelation comes as the Pokemon Company asserts that it has not granted permission to Pocketpair to utilize any Pokemon intellectual property or assets.
BANGKOK, THAILAND - NOVEMBER 27: Pokemon fans hold up Pikachu toys at Central World Shopping Mall during a holiday kick off event on November 27, 2023 in Bangkok, Thailand. Featuring the largest Pokemon takeover in Southeast Asia, Central World Shopping Center hosts its "Light Up Christmas Tree Celebration" to kick off the holiday season.
'Pokemon With Guns'
The statement marks the Pokemon Company's first acknowledgment of Palworld, a survival title that has gained immense popularity, surpassing 8 million copies sold in less than six days.
Despite Palworld being widely recognized as an unabashed clone of Pokemon, its unique combination of monster collecting, automation, and survival/crafting mechanics has resonated with players, making it a standout success even when compared to popular AAA titles.
Palworld is an action-adventure survival game set in an open world inhabited by animal-like creatures called "Pals." Players engage in battles and capture Pals for base building, traversal, and combat.
The game also supports solo and online play for up to 32 players on one server. Palworld has garnered attention for its distinctive comedic approach, incorporating firearms and equipped creatures, earning it the colloquial moniker "Pokemon with guns."
The game has experienced a dual reception, with acclaim for its engaging gameplay, rich content, and satirical premise, alongside criticism for its reliance on shock humor and perceived lack of originality in designs and mechanics.
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Pokemon Launches Investigation
Despite Pocketpair's insistence that Palworld draws more parallels to titles like Ark Survival than Pokemon, the Pokemon Company has issued a statement underscoring the absence of authorization to use Pokemon intellectual property or assets in Palworld.
In this announcement, the company affirms its dedication to investigating and remedying any instances that violate intellectual property rights associated with Pokemon.
Takuro Mizobe, the CEO of Pocketpair, had also previously voiced concerns regarding the development team facing slanderous comments and apparent "death threats."
That emphasizes the intense scrutiny and reactions Palworld has provoked, underscoring the challenges faced by the development team amid the game's rapid rise to popularity and the ensuing controversy.
"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," the Pokemon company said.
"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," it added.
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