Palworld Changes Due to Pokémon Lawsuit
The monster-catching survival game, Palworld, is undergoing further alterations due to an ongoing legal battle with Nintendo. The developer, Pocketpair, recently announced changes in patch v0.5.5, impacting a key gameplay mechanic.
Gliding Gets an Overhaul
One significant adjustment involves gliding. Previously, players could glide using their Pal companions. Now, a glider is required, although Pals will still offer passive gliding buffs. Pocketpair acknowledges this change might disappoint players, but maintains it's necessary to avoid further development disruptions.
This isn't the first time Palworld has adapted due to the lawsuit. Earlier, the ability to summon creatures using Pal Spheres (similar to Poké Balls) was removed. Despite these changes, Pocketpair continues to assert the invalidity of the patents cited by Nintendo and remains committed to adding new content.
The Ongoing Legal Dispute
The lawsuit centers around alleged patent infringement. Pocketpair has countered by arguing that the patents are invalid, citing precedents from other games including Ark: Survival Evolved, Tomb Raider, and even Nintendo's own Legend of Zelda series. The comparison to Pokémon has been constant since Palworld's initial reveal, with many players labeling it "Pokémon with guns."
The situation highlights the complexities of intellectual property in the gaming industry and the challenges faced by developers navigating legal disputes. The future of Palworld's development will likely depend on the outcome of the lawsuit.
1 Video of Palworld Lawsuit:
Source: EuroGamer