Nintendo files lawsuit against Palworld over "Pokémon with guns" for alleged copyright violations

Nintendo and its partner, The Pokémon Company, have filed a lawsuit against Palworld.

Nintendo and its partner, The Pokémon Company, have filed a lawsuit against the developer of the popular survival adventure game Palworld, accusing them of patent infringement.

Palworld quickly gained the nickname "Pokémon with guns" after its first trailer was revealed in 2021.

A few days after the game's launch in January this year, The Pokémon Company announced it would investigate claims that Palworld was a copycat.

Pocketpair Inc, the developer of Palworld, has not yet responded to BBC News' request for a comment. The company's CEO had previously stated that the game had passed legal scrutiny.

Palworld "infringes multiple patent rights", Nintendo and The Pokémon Company said in statements posted on their websites.

"This lawsuit seeks an injunction against infringement and compensation for damages".

Palworld has become a significant success, attracting over 25 million players within a month of its release.

Like the Pokémon series of video games, the game focuses on collecting unusual creatures with unique abilities.

Pocketpair’s website promotes the game as incorporating "elements of battle, monster-capturing, training, and base building."

Players, known as "pal-tamers," explore a vast map, fighting both human enemies and creatures called "pals," which can be captured and recruited.

These creatures can either assist players in battles or work at a base, crafting resources and items for field use.

In January, The Pokémon Company said it would investigate claims that Palworld had copied its games after fans noticed similarities.

The Pokémon Company said it would take "appropriate action" if it determined its copyright had been violated.