Despite facing legal pressure from Nintendo and The Pokemon Company, Palworld continues to expand rapidly, with its latest move coming on October 4 when Pocketpair announced the game’s release on the PlayStation 5 in Japan. The launch followed Palworld’s PS5 release in 68 other countries just days earlier, sparking excitement on social media. Japan’s initial exclusion led to speculation that the legal battle had influenced the decision, though Pocketpair has remained tight-lipped on the matter. Regardless, the studio has shown no hesitation in pressing forward.
Pocketpair seems to be adopting an aggressive approach, rapidly expanding Palworld‘s reach while its popularity remains high. The studio’s success in China, where about one-third of its PC player base resides, has likely reinforced its resolve to keep pushing into new markets despite the uncertainty surrounding the lawsuit. In interviews, the team has expressed surprise at the game’s unexpected rise, particularly in China, where it has seen an enthusiastic reception, driven by its combination of creature-collecting and survival gameplay.
The potential IP dispute with Nintendo, which centers on alleged similarities between Palworld and the Pokemon franchise, has not deterred Pocketpair. In fact, the game has continued to grow in key markets, with players more focused on gameplay than any legal concerns. Pocketpair’s global community manager, John “Bucky” Buckley, recently discussed with GameRant how well the game has been received in China, where its success has largely eclipsed any controversy. According to Buckley, Palworld‘s long gameplay lifecycle and survival mechanics have resonated deeply with Chinese players, contributing to its sustained popularity.
Beyond China, Pocketpair has its sights set on even broader horizons. On October 2, Krafton, the developer behind PUBG: Battlegrounds, announced a licensing agreement with Pocketpair to bring Palworld to mobile platforms. With Krafton’s expertise in mobile gaming, the partnership could further boost Palworld‘s presence in global markets, particularly as mobile gaming continues to dominate worldwide. Pocketpair is betting that expanding into mobile will help solidify the game’s position, ensuring its appeal to an even larger audience.
Meanwhile, Palworld‘s rise has not gone unnoticed by competitors. The game has already inspired several similar titles, most notably Auroria, which is developed by Tianjin Wumai Technology, a Tencent-backed Chinese studio. Pocketpair CEO Takuro Mizobe acknowledged this development in a post on X earlier this year, noting the increasing number of games that mirror Palworld‘s mechanics.
More recently, DreamCube, another studio, announced Miraibo Go, a new game that bears significant resemblance to Palworld.
Pre-registration for Miraibo Go opened in September, with the game set to launch on October 10. Its similarities indicate that Pocketpair’s success is already influencing the competitive landscape.
As Palworld continues to expand, Pocketpair faces increasing risks. The lawsuit with Nintendo and Pokemon remains unresolved, and its outcome could have serious consequences for the studio, particularly as it moves to broaden its partnerships and introduce the game to new platforms.
For now, Pocketpair is pushing ahead, backed by strong player demand and growing market interest.
But as legal pressures mount and more competitors enter the fray, the question lingers: Can Palworld sustain its rapid growth, or will the challenges ahead ultimately slow its momentum?