Title: Legal Conflict Between Pokémon Company and Palworld Intensifies: Gliding Feature Removed in Recent Update
The ongoing legal conflict between The Pokémon Company and indie developer Pocketpair, known for their popular survival crafting game Palworld, is escalating. In a recent update, Pocketpair has launched patch v0.5.5, which eliminates a crucial gameplay feature—gliding using in-game creatures referred to as “Pals”—in an apparent response to persistent legal issues.
A Recognizable Formula Triggers Debate
Palworld, which debuted to significant acclaim, quickly sparked comparisons to the Pokémon franchise. The title showcases open-world exploration, monster-catching dynamics, and creature-based combat—traits that have long been tied to Nintendo’s celebrated Pokémon series. Nonetheless, Palworld distinguishes itself by integrating survival gameplay, crafting, and even weaponry, differentiating it from Pokémon’s family-friendly appeal.
Regardless of these variations, the visual and gameplay resemblances between the two titles have not gone overlooked. In September 2024, The Pokémon Company initiated a lawsuit against Pocketpair, claiming violations of patent and intellectual property rights. The legal grievance focuses on Palworld’s monster-catching system and creature mechanics, which The Pokémon Company asserts are overly similar to its own Pokémon designs.
Adjustments to Gameplay Amid Legal Pressure
In light of the lawsuit, Pocketpair has implemented several changes to Palworld’s mechanics. In December 2024, the developer eliminated the feature that allowed summoning Pals using “Pal Spheres”—a mechanic that strongly resembled the function of Poké Balls in Pokémon titles.
Now, with the introduction of patch v0.5.5 in May 2025, a further mechanic has been modified. Players can no longer glide through the skies with the aid of Pals. Previously, certain Pals permitted limited gliding, adding a dimension of verticality to exploration. Moving forward, players must utilize a specific glider item to achieve a similar effect.
While some flying Pals remain available for aerial movement, the removal of passive gliding signifies a marked change in gameplay and a distinct effort to distinguish Palworld from Pokémon-like elements.
Developer Commentary: “Everyone Here Was Disheartened”
In a statement posted on Twitter, the Palworld development team conveyed their disappointment regarding the changes and acknowledged the dissatisfaction of their fanbase. The developers stressed that these modifications were essential to prevent further legal complications that could threaten the game’s ongoing development and availability.
“We are currently engaged in a lengthy legal process regarding alleged patent violations,” the statement indicated. “We continue to contest these allegations, but have had to make certain adjustments to prevent interference in the development and distribution of Palworld.”
The team also reassured fans of their dedication to the game, vowing to continue providing updates and new content despite the ongoing legal challenges.
Tactical Legal Strategies
Legal analysts propose that Pocketpair’s decision to proactively eliminate potentially infringing features may be a calculated tactic to avert more extreme legal repercussions, such as a preliminary injunction that could impede the sale or distribution of Palworld entirely. By removing aspects that closely correlate with those in Pokémon, Pocketpair may be working to render portions of the lawsuit irrelevant.
However, these adjustments come at a price. Some of the features being removed—like the gliding mechanic and the previously withdrawn Pal Sphere system—were among the distinctive elements that distinguished Palworld in a competitive landscape. Their removal could influence player engagement and the overall gaming experience.
What Lies Ahead?
The legal proceedings between The Pokémon Company and Pocketpair remain unresolved, and the eventual outcome is still uncertain. Should the court favor The Pokémon Company, Pocketpair may confront financial repercussions or be compelled to implement further changes to Palworld. Conversely, a ruling in favor of Pocketpair could establish a precedent for other indie developers crafting games inspired by established franchises.
For now, fans of Palworld will need to adapt to the revised gameplay features and look forward to additional updates from the developers. Despite the legal hurdles, Pocketpair seems intent on continuing the development and support for the game, albeit with a more cautious stance regarding intellectual property matters.
Conclusion
The escalating legal confrontation between The Pokémon Company and Pocketpair highlights the delicate balance between inspiration and infringement within the gaming realm. As Palworld transforms in response to legal pressures, this case serves as a reminder of the complexities associated with intellectual property rights in an age of increasingly derivative and genre-blending games.
Whether Palworld can retain its appeal and unique identity amidst these alterations remains undetermined—but one fact is evident: the struggle for supremacy in monster-catching is far from resolved.