Text size
The Japanese company Nintendo announced on Thursday that it had filed a patent infringement lawsuit against the developer of a video game jokingly called “Pokémon with weapons.”
Nintendo and The Pokemon Company are suing Pocketpair, the Japan-based studio behind the game “Palworld,” which became a viral hit after the release of its prototype in January.
“Palworld” – which sold over five million copies in just three days – features armed player avatars and monsters that resemble creatures from Nintendo’s hugely popular “Pokemon” series.
In a statement, Nintendo said the companies had “filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Pocketpair in the Tokyo District Court” on Wednesday.
“This lawsuit seeks injunctive relief and damages because Palworld … infringes several patent rights,” the lawsuit states.
The statement did not specify the amount of compensation demanded.
Nintendo added that the company would “take the necessary steps against any infringement of its intellectual property rights” to protect what it has “built with hard work over the years.”
“Palworld” is still in development, but an “Early Access Version” costs $29.99 for US customers on the online platform Steam.
“Fight, farm, build and work alongside mysterious creatures called ‘Pals’ in this all-new open-world multiplayer survival and crafting game!” reads the description.
Initial reviews of the game were positive, although many pointed out the uncanny resemblance of the “Pals” to Pokémon characters, which is why critics and users nicknamed it “Pokémon with weapons.”
“Most people, myself included, thought this game was going to be a meme,” said a review by game developer Pirate Software on Steam.
“It’s actually incredibly detailed, extremely well optimized, and incredibly addictive.”
AFP has contacted Pocketpair for comment.
Pokémon has been a worldwide hit since its release as a role-playing game for Nintendo’s Game Boy console in 1996.
The franchise, with the slogan “Gotta Catch ‘Em All,” also includes films and a hugely popular animated series.
kaf/dan
