Tag: Pocketpair

  • More Than Just Pals Turns Palworld into a Dating Sim

    More Than Just Pals Turns Palworld into a Dating Sim

    Key Takeaway

    1. “More Than Just Pals” was initially announced as an April Fool’s joke but is officially confirmed as real by Pocketpair.
    2. The game features a dating sim set in a school environment with elements of violence and mystery.
    3. Players can befriend, fall in love with, or eat Pals, with the relationship possibilities entirely player-directed.
    4. The game is listed on Steam, but specific release date and system requirements are still unavailable.
    5. The development of Palworld continues with the full release of version 1.0 expected within the year.

    More Than Just Pals: An Unexpected Return

    Initially debuting on April 1, 2024, as nothing more than an April Fool’s prank, the game More Than Just Pals has made a surprising comeback. Just one day shy of April 1, 2026, the developers at Pocketpair have officially announced its return, disowning any jokes in their official statement. This move caught many fans off guard as it reinforces that this is serious and not joking around.

    Listing and Preview Details

    Right now, the game is listed on Steam but features no set release date yet. The official announcement comes with a trailer and some screenshots that show the game setting appears to be a school environment. The visuals hint at a mix of cute and dark themes, with some scenes showing violent acts if Pals get jealous, hinting at a storyline filled with twists and mystery elements.

    Game Features and Content

    In the game, players will take placement as an exchange student who can befriend different Pals, develop romantic feelings or even eat them – all dependant on player choice. Despite the intriguing description, the details are mostly unchanged from last year’s description, and specifics such as system requirements or gameplay mechanics are still not clear. Fans wait eagerly to see more of how this unusual dating sim will turn out.

    Developer’s Commitment and Expectations

    Although Pocketpair stress that this comeback is no joke, some people wonder if they’re really investing all their efforts into this project or just teasing fans. The priority for the studio is still finishing Palworld, which has been in Early Access for over two years, with a full version 1.0 planned to launch later this year. So, while the game is promising a new experience, many are curious if it will actually live up to expectations soon or get lost in development limbo.


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  • Nintendo Pokémon Patent Rejected, Boosts Palworld Legal Battle

    Nintendo Pokémon Patent Rejected, Boosts Palworld Legal Battle

    Key Takeaways

    1. Japan’s Patent Office rejected Nintendo’s patent application 2024-031879 related to “monster capturing” methods, which may help Pocketpair in their legal battle.
    2. The rejection was based on a lack of originality, citing existing similar game mechanics in earlier titles before Nintendo’s application.
    3. Pocketpair provided evidence of older games and mods to support their case, arguing that monster-capturing features have existed for a long time.
    4. Nintendo’s defense against considering mods as prior art has been criticized, suggesting its arguments may not be strong enough.
    5. Nintendo has 60 days to respond or modify its claims, with the option to appeal if the rejection becomes final, potentially extending the legal proceedings into 2026.

    Japan’s Patent Office has rejected one of Nintendo’s patent applications, specifically number 2024-031879, related to “monster capturing” methods. This ruling could potentially benefit Pocketpair, the developer of Palworld, in their ongoing legal battle. However, it’s important to note that this decision is not final, so Nintendo could still challenge it by providing additional evidence.

    Lack of Originality Cited

    A report by Gamesfray indicates that the patent office believes Nintendo’s concept lacks originality since similar game mechanics were already present in earlier games prior to their application in December 2021. This new patent is closely associated with two other patents Nintendo is using in the lawsuit against Pocketpair: the parent patent JP7505852 and the child patent JP754191.

    The patent examiner noted that “the claimed invention could have easily been created by individuals with common knowledge in the technical field.” The JPO also pointed to previous works in older games, like a 2020 YouTube video of ARK: Survival Evolved, Craftopia wiki, the Monster Hunter 4 manual discussing anesthetic balls, Pokémon GO capture rates, Monster Hunter 3rd, and ARK Mobile.

    Evidence Submitted by Pocketpair

    On April 9, 2025, Pocketpair reportedly provided evidence of these older titles to the patent office, contributing to the rejection. They had earlier cited games such as ARK, Tomb Raider, Titanfall 2, The Legend of Zelda, and Rune Factory 5 to counter Nintendo’s argument.

    Pocketpair also mentioned fan-created mods like Pixelmon for Minecraft and NukaMon for Fallout 4, asserting that these monster-capturing features have been part of gaming for a long time.

    Nintendo’s Counterarguments

    Nintendo contended that mods shouldn’t be considered prior art since they depend on base games. Yet, many critics argue that this is a flimsy defense, as mods are still recognized as publicly available concepts.

    Although this rejection doesn’t conclude the lawsuit in the Tokyo Court District—where Nintendo filed against Pocketpair on September 19, 2024—it does weaken Nintendo’s position. It suggests that the patent might not be as distinctive as the company claims.

    The chances seem to favor Pocketpair since Nintendo now has a 60-day period to submit additional arguments and modify its claims, or it risks facing a final refusal. Should that happen, they have the option to appeal, which could prolong the process into 2026.

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  • Palworld Publisher Pocketpair Rejects Generative AI and NFTs

    Palworld Publisher Pocketpair Rejects Generative AI and NFTs

    Key Takeaways

    1. Pocketpair opposes generative AI and will not publish titles that rely on this technology.
    2. The company received significant interest for its new publishing division, including over 400 emails and 150 game pitches in its first week.
    3. Concerns about generative AI include an influx of low-quality content that may impact platforms like Steam.
    4. After the successful launch of Palworld, the developer faced accusations of asset theft and AI involvement in character designs.
    5. Engaging with critics can backfire, leading Pocketpair to focus on updates for Palworld while navigating legal challenges from Nintendo.

    Palworld’s developer, Pocketpair, has recently stirred up the publishing industry with its firm opposition to generative AI. The company has declared that its publishing arm will not support any titles that depend on this technology.

    Strong Opinions from Pocketpair

    In a discussion with Game Developer during Gamescom Asia, John “Bucky” Buckley, the communications director and publishing manager, expressed, “People may think I’m not telling the truth, but these are just the hard facts. We don’t see value in it. We’re very open about it.”

    The company’s position also includes Web3 initiatives and NFT games. Buckley emphasized, “If your focus is on AI or if your game is Web3 or incorporates NFTs, there are plenty of publishers willing to engage, but we aren’t the right fit for that.”

    A Busy Start for the Publishing Division

    Pocketpair’s publishing division, which debuted in mid-January 2025, was met with a wave of interest, receiving over 400 emails, 150 game pitches, and more than 2,000 LinkedIn requests in just the first week, as noted in an official announcement on X.

    Their first project is an unnamed horror game from Surgent Studios, recognized for Tales of Kenzara: ZAU, featuring voice actors like Neil Newbon from Baldur’s Gate 3 and Ben Starr from Final Fantasy 16.

    Concerns About Content Quality

    Buckley’s concerns about generative AI are partly due to the increasing amount of low-quality content flooding the market, which he predicts will soon overshadow platforms like Steam. He mentioned, “It’s something that has troubled other stores, but Steam had been effective in keeping them at bay. But, it’s happening.”

    He cautions that this shift in the industry could create paranoia, leading to baseless claims that target genuine creators—an issue Pocketpair is all too familiar with.

    Facing Criticism After a Successful Launch

    In early 2024, following Palworld’s remarkable Early Access release, which sold 5 million copies within three days and attracted over two million concurrent players on Steam, the game was hit with a wave of accusations claiming it was “AI slop.”

    Critics highlighted the creature designs as suspiciously similar to Pokémon, while some online accused the game of asset theft from Pokémon: Scarlet and Violet. Others brought attention to CEO Takuro Mizobe’s 2021 tweets where he experimented with AI-generated “fakemon” to avoid copyright issues.

    Pocketpair firmly rejected these claims, attributing the character designs to a single artist who had been turned down by 100 companies, and even launched the party game AI: Art Imposter, a social deduction game that pokes fun at the AI trend.

    The Challenge of Addressing Criticism

    Buckley recognizes the irony of the situation, explaining how engaging with critics often backfires. “You know, I can’t just come out and start battling with those making accusations about AI, because that only adds fuel to the fire.”

    In the meantime, Pocketpair continues to update Palworld regularly while also dealing with increasing legal issues from Nintendo regarding alleged copyright infringements related to its profitable Pokémon franchise.

     

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  • Palworld x Ultrakill Collaboration: Exciting Retro Theme Unveiled

    Palworld x Ultrakill Collaboration: Exciting Retro Theme Unveiled

    Key Takeaways

    1. Pocketpair announced a crossover between Palworld and Ultrakill, incorporating Ultrakill’s gear and weapons into Palworld.
    2. The announcement was made on September 23, 2025, showcasing Ultrakill’s main character, V2, alongside Anubis.
    3. Ultrakill, which began development in 2018, has had significant content updates and is expected to complete its final act by late 2026.
    4. This is Palworld’s second indie collaboration this year, following a partnership with Terraria that attracted over 120,000 concurrent players.
    5. Pocketpair plans to focus on refining Palworld and addressing technical issues before its full launch in 2026, despite ongoing patent disputes with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company.

    Just a week after Pocketpair stated they would take a break for the rest of the year to refine Palworld for its full 1.0 launch in 2026, the studio stunned the gaming world with a surprising but exciting crossover with the intense retro first-person shooter, Ultrakill.

    Exciting Announcement

    The announcement was made on Palworld’s official X account on September 23, 2025, revealing that Ultrakill’s hellish style would be incorporated into Palworld. They mentioned, “Gear and weapons from the cult-hit Ultrakill are coming to Palworld!” The artwork featured Ultrakill’s main character, V2, alongside Anubis.

    Development Journey

    Ultrakill’s journey started in 2018 as a solo project by Arsi “Hakita” Patala. Much like Palworld, it has seen significant advancements with substantial content updates during its Early Access phase. The game received a major update called ULTRA_REVAMPED in February 2025, which improved its visuals and code while also adding new Encore levels.

    The game debuted in Early Access with four levels in Act I. Act II later added three more levels, with the final layer of Act II, named “Violence,” launching in late July 2025. The concluding Act, “Godfist Suicide,” is currently being developed and will include two layers. The game’s development is expected to wrap up by late 2026.

    Another Collaboration

    This marks the second indie partnership for Palworld this year, as they previously collaborated with Terraria in early 2025. This partnership brought pixelated Pals and mining tools through the Tides of Terraria update, which reached over 120,000 concurrent players on Steam.

    This new update comes after community director Bucky’s statement on September 16, where he mentioned:

    “Beyond just adding new content, there’s a lot of cleanup that needs to be done before Palworld can exit early access.

    It’s no secret that Palworld has its quirks and jank, and we want to take the time to properly address those before the game releases. With that being said, we plan to started this cleanup this year.”

    Pocketpair had promised a “truly massive amount of content” for the 2026 launch, yet it’s surprising to see them venture into another collaboration while they are still in the midst of technical improvements and dealing with ongoing patent disputes from Nintendo and The Pokémon Company, who claimed Palworld infringed on capture mechanics patents filed after its launch.

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  • Nintendo Disputes Dark Souls 3 Mod in Palworld Pokémon Patent Case

    Nintendo Disputes Dark Souls 3 Mod in Palworld Pokémon Patent Case

    Key Takeaways

    1. The legal dispute involves Pocketpair’s Palworld and Nintendo over creature-capturing mechanics, with Pocket Souls mod from Dark Souls 3 being cited as potential prior art against Nintendo’s patents.

    2. Pocket Souls, released in September 2020, allowed players to capture and battle enemies in a way similar to Pokémon, which Pocketpair argues predates Nintendo’s patent filings.

    3. Nintendo and The Pokémon Company filed a lawsuit in September 2024, focusing on three Japanese patents related to creature collection and aiming systems, with claims for an injunction and damages.

    4. Pocketpair defends itself by asserting that Nintendo’s patents are invalid due to prior art, while Nintendo counters that mods like Pocket Souls cannot be considered independent inventions.

    5. Patent expert Florian Mueller criticizes Nintendo’s attempts to limit the recognition of community-created mods as prior art, warning of negative implications for the modding community and innovation in gaming.

    The legal conflict between Pocketpair’s Palworld and Nintendo continues to unfold. A notable discussion has arisen about whether a mod from 2020 for Dark Souls 3, called Pocket Souls, could potentially act as prior art to challenge Nintendo’s patents regarding creature-capturing mechanics similar to Pokémon.

    Details of the Mod

    The mod in question, relevant to the lawsuit involving Nintendo and Palworld, was launched on September 12, 2020, through Nexus Mods. This mod altered Dark Souls 3 to create a game experience reminiscent of Pokémon, allowing users to capture enemies within an Abyssal Flask and compete them against other foes or bosses in battles.

    Pocketpair’s Arguments

    Pocketpair has cited this mod along with other games such as Final Fantasy XIV, Monster Hunter, and its own earlier title, Craftopia, to support its claim that the key concepts behind Nintendo’s recent patents were already available to the public well before the company submitted them.

    Nintendo along with The Pokémon Company initiated the lawsuit against Pocketpair in September 2024 at the Tokyo District Court. The case focuses on three Japanese patents concerning creature collection and aiming systems. The initial patent application was filed in late 2021, right before the launch of Pokémon Legends: Arceus, which included broader methods for capturing and displaying creatures similarly to how Poke Balls work.

    Success of Palworld

    Palworld saw a tremendous launch in January 2024, with over 25 million copies sold in its first month. In the wake of Palworld’s popularity, Nintendo filed divisional patents in 2024, concentrating on the mechanics of the Poke Ball, such as aiming indicators and success rates for captures.

    These divisional patents have become crucial for Nintendo and The Pokémon Company’s infringement accusations, as they seek an injunction to stop Palworld’s distribution and demand damages around 10 million yen or $67,000.

    Pocketpair’s Defense

    In reply, Pocketpair has mounted a comprehensive defense, arguing against infringement and asserting the invalidity of Nintendo’s patents by referencing various prior art examples, including the Pocket Souls mod, which predates Nintendo’s 2021 filings by more than a year.

    However, in recent court sessions, Nintendo has strongly countered, arguing that mods like Pocket Souls cannot be recognized as prior art since they “cannot operate without the original games” and therefore do not represent independent inventions.

    Nintendo’s Legal Approach

    Nintendo’s arguments have been presented in two distinct filings that seek to limit community-created mods from being considered as eligible prior art references, aiming to narrow the options available in court.

    Patent expert Florian Mueller has characterized Nintendo’s stance as “extreme,” noting that “courts typically reject efforts to unreasonably limit the pool of prior art references.” He expressed concerns about the potential ramifications of the Tokyo District Court adopting Nintendo’s views for the modding community globally.

    Mueller elaborated, “Aside from completely ignoring the tremendous creativity that modders add to gaming innovation, modders could become ‘fair game’ as their ideas might be patented by others (unless they secure patents beforehand, which is rare for modders) and then, depending on specific prior use laws in different regions, be used against them.”

    For instance, in the U.S., the infringer would only need to submit patents within a year of the mod’s release.

    The fallout from Nintendo and Palworld’s ongoing intense lawsuit goes beyond just Pocketpair’s hit title, as Nintendo has a history of taking action against fan mods, including removing Pokémon-themed add-ons for Garry’s Mod and various mods for games like The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild, Another Metroid 2 Remake, Pokémon Uranium, Super Mario 64 HD, Full Screen Mario, and The Legend of Zelda: Ocarina of Time 2D.

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  • Normal Fishing Review: Palworld Devs’ Game Falls Short – Demo Playable

    Normal Fishing Review: Palworld Devs’ Game Falls Short – Demo Playable

    Key Takeaways

    1. Pocketpair is publishing a unique indie game called Normal Fishing, developed by The Bworg.
    2. The game combines retro aesthetics with psychological horror, featuring eerie incidents and messages.
    3. A trailer suggests the game has dark humor, showcasing a woman sending her husband fishing with disturbing twists.
    4. Normal Fishing features nostalgic pixel graphics and a mix of fast-paced mini-games, RPG elements, and monster confrontations.
    5. A free demo is available on Steam, and players can wishlist the game, though no release date has been announced.

    Pocketpair is in the news again, but this time it’s not about Palworld. Instead, the spotlight is on a unique indie game they’ve decided to publish. On September 11, the studio revealed its backing for Normal Fishing, a creation by The Bworg. A free demo can be found on Steam, and players have the option to add the game to their wishlist.

    A Unique Experience Awaits

    Don’t let the title fool you; this game is anything but ordinary. What initially looks like a simple fishing game quickly morphs into a strange blend of retro aesthetics and psychological horror. As you aim to catch 20 different aquatic creatures, you’ll face eerie incidents, foreboding messages such as “Don’t touch the water,” and whispers about a godfish hiding in the depths of the lake.

    A Dark Joke Unfolds

    In a 30-second trailer that announces Pocketpair’s involvement, the title Normal Fishing seems to be more of a dark humor statement than a true description of the game. The video depicts a woman sending her husband out to fish to support her “extravagant lifestyle.” The most disturbing moment, however, is when a giant crab appears out of nowhere, and the final scene reveals the woman momentarily changing into a monster, suggesting a twisted horror lurking beneath the game’s surface.

    Nostalgic Yet Innovative

    With its sepia-toned pixel graphics, Normal Fishing brings back memories of classic handheld games. The gameplay features a mix of fast-paced fishing mini-games along with action, RPG components, and monster confrontations. Although there’s no set release date announced, and the compatibility with Steam Deck (priced at $455 on Amazon) is still uncertain, the system requirements seem quite low, indicating that the game should perform well on most systems.

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  • Terraria Tides: Palworld’s Biggest Summer Update Revealed

    Terraria Tides: Palworld’s Biggest Summer Update Revealed

    Key Takeaways

    1. Tides of Terraria is a major crossover event for Palworld, launching with the v0.6 update this summer.
    2. The collaboration introduces new gameplay elements, integrating Terraria creatures into Palworld’s core gameplay.
    3. This event aims to enhance the experience for fans of both Palworld and Terraria, marking one of Palworld’s most ambitious updates.
    4. Pocketpair is currently facing legal challenges with The Pokémon Company, leading to modifications in some game mechanics.
    5. Palworld is in Early Access and available on multiple platforms, with a limited-time 25% discount on Steam until May 19th.

    Pocketpair has made an exciting announcement about Tides of Terraria, a significant crossover event for Palworld, set to launch with the game’s v0.6 update this summer. This event represents a major collaboration between two of the most popular games in the survival genre – Palworld and Terraria.

    New Gameplay Features

    Reports suggest that Tides of Terraria will bring a variety of new gameplay elements aimed at enriching the Palworld experience. Pocketpair mentions that this includes a multitude of exciting additions.

    This collaboration goes beyond mere aesthetics – creatures from Terraria will be intricately woven into Palworld’s core gameplay, introducing new strategies and challenges for players. The partnership is targeted at enthusiasts of both games and is touted as one of the most ambitious updates Palworld has ever seen.

    Legal Challenges

    The announcement comes at a time when Pocketpair is dealing with ongoing legal issues with The Pokémon Company, which has claimed that Pocketpair infringed on its intellectual property. In light of this, the developers have made modifications to some game mechanics, like the well-known throwable Pal Spheres, to navigate legal challenges and keep progress moving forward.

    Palworld is currently in Early Access and can be played on platforms like Steam, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, Microsoft Store, and Game Pass. Right now, there’s a special limited-time 25% discount on Steam, which will last until Monday, May 19th.

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