Palworld, the survival crafting game that has taken the gaming world by storm, boasting over 19 million players worldwide, has now found itself facing criticism and concerns in its home country of Japan. In a surprising turn of events, Japanese entertainment professionals have reportedly been instructed by a talent agency to avoid any mention of Palworld in order to protect potential collaborations with the beloved franchise, Pokémon.
According to a source from the talent agency, the decision to refrain from mentioning Palworld on social media or in public was made “out of consideration for the Pokémon side.” The agency is keen on safeguarding future partnerships and collaborations with The Pokémon Company. The move has sparked a debate about the level of influence the Pokémon franchise continues to exert in the Japanese entertainment industry.
The Pokémon Company recently released an official statement regarding Palworld, although it intentionally avoided mentioning the game by name. Instead, it referred to it as “another company’s game released in January 2024.” The statement clarified that no permission had been granted for the use of Pokémon intellectual property in Palworld and emphasized the company’s commitment to protecting its IP rights.
While The Pokémon Company’s vagueness may have been a deliberate tactic, it has only fueled speculation and further intensified the controversy surrounding Palworld. The statement hinted at the company’s intention to investigate and take appropriate measures against any infringement of its intellectual property rights linked to Pokémon. This move raises questions about the potential legal implications Palworld may face in the future.
Leading figures within the industry have responded to Palworld’s success and the subsequent backlash in various ways. Don McGowan, the former Chief Legal Officer of The Pokémon Company, expressed his surprise at the game’s popularity. Nintendo, another prominent player in the gaming industry, acknowledged Palworld’s existence; however, it refrained from providing any specific comments, opting instead to address the matter on a case-by-case basis.
The silence from these industry giants leaves room for speculation and raises doubts about the true extent of the issues surrounding Palworld. As fans and industry professionals await further updates, it remains uncertain how Palworld’s development and future collaborations will unfold.
Despite the controversy, Palworld has received support from Microsoft’s gaming division, Xbox. The company announced its commitment to assist Palworld’s developers by providing dedicated servers, optimizing the game, and expediting the release of updates to players. This backing from Xbox has marked a significant milestone for Palworld, as it has become the largest third-party launch title on Xbox’s Game Pass subscription service, with over 7 million Xbox players already experiencing the game since its debut in January.
While the controversy surrounding Palworld in Japan continues to simmer, the game’s global popularity suggests that it has resonated with players worldwide. Palworld’s developers and fans remain hopeful that the negative reception in Japan will eventually subside, allowing the game to thrive and potentially open doors to new opportunities for collaboration.
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