The survival crafting game Palworld has taken the gaming world by storm, amassing over 19 million players worldwide. However, it appears that some concerns have emerged in Japan, the homeland of the beloved franchise Pokémon. Following an official statement by The Pokémon Company last week regarding the new early-access title, talent agencies in Japan have reportedly advised their entertainers to refrain from mentioning Palworld. The reason behind this request is said to be consideration for Pokémon and the potential for future collaborations with The Pokémon Company.
According to a source from a talent agency, individuals associated with the agency have been instructed not to discuss Palworld on social media or in public. This decision was made to protect the interests of the agency and out of consideration for potential collaborations with Pokémon. The source also disclosed this restriction was implemented due to concerns about the game’s similarity to Pokémon and the potential infringement on Pokémon’s intellectual property rights.
In its official statement, The Pokémon Company did not explicitly mention Palworld by name, referring to it instead as “another company’s game released in January 2024.” The company underscored that it had not granted permission for the use of Pokémon intellectual property or assets in this particular game. It also asserted its commitment to investigating and addressing any acts that infringe upon Pokémon’s intellectual property rights.
This response came just days after Don McGowan, The Pokémon Company’s former Chief Legal Officer, expressed surprise that Palworld had gained such widespread attention. While Nintendo, the parent company of Pokémon, acknowledged the existence of Palworld, it declined to comment on individual cases.
Despite the controversy surrounding Palworld in Japan, Microsoft’s gaming branch, Xbox, has announced its support for the developers of the game. Xbox will assist in providing dedicated servers, optimizing the game, and expediting the release of updates to players. This partnership highlights Xbox’s commitment to promoting diverse gaming experiences and cultivating developer talent.
Furthermore, Palworld has achieved a milestone on Xbox’s Game Pass subscription service. It has become the largest third-party launch title ever on the platform, with over 7 million Xbox players engaging with the game since its initial release in January.
As Palworld continues to garner attention and draw both praise and criticism, its developers face the challenge of navigating potential legal issues and public perception. While talent agencies in Japan may be cautious about associating with the game, Xbox’s support indicates a willingness within the gaming industry to embrace Palworld’s unique approach to the survival crafting genre.
Time will tell how Palworld evolves and what impact it will have on the broader gaming landscape. Meanwhile, fans eagerly await the next developments and updates in this controversial monster game.
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