Palworld Developer Responds to 'Pokémon With Guns' Label Amid Nintendo Lawsuit

Palworld Developer Pocketpair Addresses 'Pokémon With Guns' Nickname and Nintendo Lawsuit Since its reveal in 2021, Palworld has garnered international attention for its unique blend of creature collecting and open-world survival gameplay.

Developed by Pocketpair, the Japanese indie studio known for titles like Craftopia, Palworld rapidly gained popularity—especially after its debut trailer aired at the Indie Live Expo, an event featuring standout indie games in Japan.

The Nintendo Switch release of Palworld further expanded the game’s reach via the eShop, leading to significant growth in both player base and industry recognition. However, much of Palworld's media coverage in Western markets has centered around its oft-repeated label, 'Pokémon with guns.' The phrase originated from early trailers showcasing adorable, Pokémon-like creatures wielding firearms—a juxtaposition that sparked both fascination and controversy.

According to John ‘Bucky’ Buckley, Pocketpair’s communications director and publishing manager, this title has stuck with the studio since 2021 despite their efforts to move beyond it. Speaking at the Game Developers Conference (GDC), Buckley recounted, “When we introduced Palworld to Japanese audiences at Indie Live Expo, the response was immediate and overwhelmingly positive.

Soon after, Western media discovered our game and quickly attached the 'Pokémon with guns' descriptor, a label that persists today no matter how we try to move past it.” In a subsequent discussion with IGN, Buckley clarified that Palworld’s core inspiration draws from survival game ARK: Survival Evolved, not Pokémon.

"Many of us at Pocketpair are fans of ARK, and even our earlier project, Craftopia, contains elements influenced by it.

Our aim was to create a vibrant world featuring creatures with distinct personalities and unique abilities—not just another dinosaur game," Buckley explained.

He elaborated that the development team wanted every creature in Palworld to feel special rather than echo established monster-collecting franchises.

While they acknowledge the impact of first impressions, Buckley remarked, "We're not thrilled about the association, but it is what it is.

Still, we encourage players to try Palworld and discover how our gameplay diverges from that shorthand." Despite efforts to distinguish Palworld’s identity, Pocketpair presently faces a lawsuit from Nintendo and The Pokémon Company over alleged patent infringements.

Buckley described the day the lawsuit was publicized as "depressing", highlighting that many Pocketpair staff members are fans of Nintendo and Pokémon themselves. As Palworld continues to make waves on the Nintendo Switch and beyond, its journey reflects the challenges—and sometimes unintended consequences—of breakout success in the global games market.

The game’s mix of survival, automation, and creature management has set it apart on the eShop and fostered a passionate fan community.

Nevertheless, the legal scrutiny and persistent comparisons with Nintendo’s flagship franchise underscore the complexity of navigating intellectual property boundaries, especially within the high-stakes world of video game development.

Pokémon Palworld Pocketpair Nintendo Nintendo Switch Switch