Nintendo's 'Killer Patent' Could Crush Palworld's Monster-Catching Gameplay, Expert Warns

Nintendo ADR NTDOY and The Pokémon Company have filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Palworld developer Pocketpair, a case that could have significant ramifications for the indie game studio.

The Patent At The Heart Of The Case

According to Kiyoshi Kurihara, a Japanese patent attorney, the patent in question revolves around the game's monster-catching mechanic.

See Also: ‘Pokémon With Guns’: Nintendo Files Lawsuit Against Palworld Developer Over Alleged Patent Violations

Speaking to Yahoo Japan (translated by Automaton), Kurihara pointed to a "killer patent" that may be difficult to avoid for any game attempting to mirror the gameplay of Pokémon.

The divisional patent (Patent No. 7545191) describes a process in which the player aims a capture item at a character on the field, releases it based on their input, and determines if the capture succeeds, causing the monster to become the player's property.

“It seems like it would be hard to avoid if you want to make a Pokémon-like game, and it's easy to infringe if you're not careful,” Kurihara explained.

Since the indie game's release, people have compared Palworld's "Pals" to Pokémon, but the lawsuit focuses on patents rather than copyright infringement.

A Legal Strategy In Motion

Kurihara suspects Nintendo strategically planned the timing of its lawsuit. Authorities approved the four divisional patents in August, months after Palworld’s January release.

This delay might explain why Nintendo waited to announce its lawsuit, giving it the legal grounds to pursue Pocketpair after solidifying the patent claims.

The lawsuit’s impact on Palworld’s availability on platforms like Steam and Xbox remains uncertain. Nintendo's patents focus on the catching mechanics central to Pokémon. This could compel Pocketpair to alter its game or even remove key features.

What's Next For Palworld?

At its peak, Palworld shattered concurrent player records and saw massive sales. It reportedly earned so much that Pocketpair struggled to manage the influx of profits.

The developer moved quickly to capitalize on this success. It even formed a new company, Palworld Entertainment, in partnership with Sony Group Corp. SONY to further develop the brand.

Speculation is already swirling that Palworld will be making its way to PlayStation. Rumors suggest an announcement is imminent at the Tokyo Game Show, set to run from Sept. 26-29.

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Image courtesy of Pocketpair.