Palworld developer Pocketpair has modified several key game mechanics in response to a lawsuit filed by Nintendo that alleges patent infringement. The lawsuit, initiated after Palworld‘s release, claims the game violates two recently granted Japanese patents related to gameplay features similar to those in Pokémon games.
The specific patents at the center of the dispute involve two distinct mechanics. The first covers seamlessly switching between different mounts or gliding states without button presses. The second involves entering an aiming mode to capture creatures, throw player-owned creatures into battle, or initiate contextual actions.
Both patents were only recently approved in Japan, with one reportedly applied for on July 30, 2024, and granted less than a month later on August 27, 2024. Nintendo’s legal action followed shortly after these patents became official.
Pocketpair announced the changes through their official channels, but experts note this doesn’t mean they’re admitting guilt. According to patent law specialists, tweaking possibly problematic features during a lawsuit is pretty standard to keep any extra losses to a minimum.
【係属中の訴訟に関するパルワールドの仕様変更と今後について】
— パルワールド/Palworld 公式 (@Palworld_JP) May 8, 2025
日頃より『パルワールド』をご支援いただき、心より御礼申し上げます。…
“Knowingly infringing on a patent after being notified can result in much harsher penalties,” explained a Japanese patent attorney familiar with the case. “By making these changes now, Pocket Pair is protecting themselves while the legal process plays out.”
The modifications also have another strategic angle—stopping Nintendo from trying to get a temporary sales ban that could yank Palworld from digital stores while the case is ongoing. By pulling the disputed features, Pocket Pair gets to keep selling their game as they fight this in court.
Palworld exploded in popularity earlier this year as an open-world survival game featuring monster-catching mechanics. Often described as “Pokémon with guns,” the game blends creature collection with crafting, building, and survival elements reminiscent of games like ARK: Survival Evolved.
This isn’t the first time a major game company has used patents to protect gameplay mechanics. Previous examples include Sega patenting the directional arrow in Crazy Taxi and Warner Bros. securing patents for Shadow of Mordor‘s Nemesis system.
Palworld vs. Nintendo
Lawyers say this case could drag on for years, which is pretty normal for tricky software patent fights. Unlike copyright law, which protects creative expression, patents cover the technical “how it works” part of inventions—making these cases pretty tough to sort out.
Pocketpair hasn’t commented directly on what they’re planning legally, but their quick move to tweak the game shows they’re ready for a long showdown with one of gaming’s most protective companies.
