Palworld, deemed ‘Pokémon with guns,’ stirs up the internet and sparks scrutiny

A new popular game that users are likening to “Pokémon with guns” appears to have caught the attention of the pocket monster franchise.

A new popular game that users are likening to “Pokémon with guns” appears to have caught the attention of the pocket monster franchise.

Palworld, which launched on the gaming platform Steam on Jan. 19, features fictional critters that can be “caught” by a player and then help that player to build structures, farm for food and engage in shootouts. One of its “pals,” Sparkit, is yellow with sharp, pointy ears and a large bushy tail, which some online say resembles Pokémon’s most iconic character: Pikachu. 

On Thursday, the Pokémon Company issued a statement saying it plans to investigate possible infringement on its intellectual property after it “received many inquiries regarding another company’s game.” The statement doesn’t mention the title of the game.

“We intend to investigate and take appropriate measures to address any acts that infringe on intellectual property rights related to the Pokémon,” the statement read. “We will continue to cherish and nurture each and every Pokémon and its world, and work to bring the world together through Pokémon in the future.”

The response comes amid increased buzz around the game, which sold 8 million copies in just under six days, according to a blog post by the game developers. “That translates into approximately $189 million USD in Steam sales in 5 days,” Geoff Keighley, a prominent figure in the video game industry, wrote on X.

https://www.nbcnews.com/tech/video-games/palworld-game-pokemon-response-rcna135687

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