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Palworld went for sale on January 18 and has become something of a sensation in the week since. Over the course of five days the game amassed sales exceeding seven million units and hit an impressive concurrent user base of 1.8 million players. If you’ve been seeing the name pop up online and wondered what the fuss is all about, the tagline “it’s like Pokémon with guns,” as many fans have described it, is the reason why.
Palworld is a survival game with action-adventure elements where players battle and capture creatures named Pals. Pals can fight one another much like Pokémon, but they can also be equipped with guns, sent to do labor in mines, and be eaten. Needless to say, many in the video game community have been waiting to hear what the response would be, if any, from The Pokémon Company, and now they have one… sort of.
Here’s the statement released by The Pokémon Company:
Screenshot of a Pokémon mod that has been made by fans for Palworld.
Inquiries Regarding Other Companies’ Games
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. 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.
The Pokémon Company
Notably, the statement doesn’t specifically address Palworld, but the fact that it references “another company’s game released in January 2024” makes it pretty clear which title is being targeted. While Palworld wasn’t launched with actual Pokémon characters or creatures, many fans have pointed to some striking similarities between designs, and a mod has already been released that lets players plug Pocket Monsters and figures like Ash Ketchum directly into the game.
Although there have been numerous Pokémon-like games over the years, Palworld is arguably the first to skyrocket to such notoriety so quickly. We’ll keep you posted as we learn more.
