Palworld’s rapid ascent persists despite facing substantial criticism due to its perceived resemblance to Pokemon. A notable skeptic is Dan McGowan, former head of Pokemon’s legal team spanning 2008 to 2020.
McGowan, expressing his dissatisfaction with Game File, asserts that Palworld “resembles the typical ripoff scenarios that were commonplace during my tenure as Chief Legal Officer of Pokémon. I’m just surprised it has reached this level.”
McGowan’s viewpoint aligns with the Pokemon legal team’s inclination to shield the franchise from potential infringements, making his perspective somewhat predictable. However, criticism towards Palworld extends beyond legal circles and has gained traction within the gaming community.
While games inspired by Pokemon’s creature-collecting concept have existed for years without significant controversy, the specific resemblances of certain Palworld designs to distinct Pokemon counterparts have sparked considerable attention.
A Twitter thread meticulously dissects apparent parallels between various Pals and Pokemon, prompting observers to form their own opinions on the extent of the alleged ‘rip-off.’
At the very least, it seems that Palworld adopts a notably similar art style to that employed in the Pokemon series, with several creatures sharing resemblances to established characters. Although not legally versed, the article refrains from speculating on whether this constitutes a clear case of infringement.
Despite potential legal concerns, Pocketpair, the developer of Palworld, appears unperturbed by the prospect of legal action. CEO Takuro Mizobe contends that the game has undergone legal scrutiny and asserts, “We have absolutely no intention of infringing upon the intellectual property of other companies.”
However, a sense of apprehension persists among fans who fear potential legal repercussions. In anticipation of a Nintendo takedown, a Palworld modding community has taken precautionary measures by prohibiting links to a Pokemon mod, aiming to safeguard against the prospect of legal intervention.
