Palworld modders are reclaiming control by restoring mechanics that developer Pocketpair had to remove following Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's patent lawsuit.
Last week, Pocketpair acknowledged that recent updates altered the game due to ongoing legal pressure from Nintendo and The Pokémon Company.
Initially released in early 2024 priced at $30 on Steam and available through Game Pass, Palworld shattered sales and concurrent player records. Pocketpair CEO Takuro Mizobe revealed the game's unprecedented success overwhelmed the studio's capacity to manage its massive profits. Capitalizing on this momentum, Pocketpair partnered with Sony to establish Palworld Entertainment, dedicated to expanding the franchise. The game later launched on PS5.
Following Palworld's explosive debut, comparisons between its creatures and Pokémon sparked accusations of design plagiarism. Rather than pursuing copyright claims, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company chose patent litigation. The companies seek 5 million yen (approximately $32,846) each plus damages, along with an injunction to halt Palworld's distribution.
Last November, Pocketpair confirmed three Japanese patents related to capturing virtual creatures in open environments. While Palworld did feature a mechanic involving sphere-like devices (Pal Spheres) for capturing monsters - reminiscent of Pokémon Legends: Arceus' 2022 mechanic - recent updates have altered this system.
Six months later, Pocketpair admitted that update v0.3.11 (November 2024) implemented legally mandated changes. Players noticed the patch removed the ability to summon Pals by throwing spheres, replacing it with static summoning near the player. Other gameplay elements were also modified.
Pocketpair defended these changes, stating refusal would have "worsened the player experience more severely".
The recent v0.5.5 update introduced further changes, requiring players to use gliders instead of Pals for aerial movement. While Pals still provide gliding bonuses, players must now carry glider equipment.
Pocketpair described these as "necessary compromises" to avoid potential injunctions that could halt development and sales.
Within a week, modders have reintroduced the original gliding mechanics. Primarinabee's Glider Restoration mod on Nexus Mods cleverly circumvents the recent changes.
The mod description cheekily states: "Palworld Patch 0.5.5? What? That didn't happen!" It continues: "This mod restores the joy of flying with your Pals. While requiring an inventory glider for technical reasons, it effectively reverses the controversial update without preventing future patches."
Released May 10, the mod has already amassed hundreds of downloads. Another mod attempts to restore the throwing mechanic, though it currently lacks the original ball-throwing animation.
The longevity of these mods remains uncertain given the ongoing lawsuit.
At March's GDC, IGN conducted an in-depth interview with Pocketpair's John "Bucky" Buckley, Communications Director and Publishing Manager. The discussion followed his presentation about Palworld's turbulent journey, including addressing AI accusations (which the studio thoroughly disproved) and withdrawn claims about Pokémon model plagiarism. Buckley briefly commented on the patent lawsuit, describing it as "completely unexpected" and "never anticipated" by the team.
