The Controversy Surrounding Pokemon Modifications in Palworld

by Annabelle Stephenson
in *AR, *KO, *PT, *TR, Action, News, Release, xET, xFA, xFI, xHU, xLT, xRS, xSI
on 23 January 2024

In the world of gaming, modifications have always been a hot topic. Recently, a new controversy has emerged surrounding the modifications of Pokemon in the popular game Palworld. Soon after the early access release of Palworld, players quickly discovered a modification that replaced the in-game creatures with the famous “monsters” from the Pokemon series. This modification sparked a lot of excitement among fans who were eager to explore a world where Pikachu and others coexisted in a survival game.

However, it seems that Nintendo and The Pokemon Company aren’t big fans of these changes. According to a tweet by YouTuber Toasted, Nintendo or The Pokemon Company turned their attention to his promotional video showcasing the Palworld modification. The video was taken down due to a copyright infringement complaint filed by the company.

The Palworld modding community has also taken action, with one community banning Pokemon modifications out of fear of retaliation from Nintendo. This incident was experienced by the NexusMods community as well, as they began removing Pokemon modifications for Palworld, as stated in a Reddit post.

Interestingly, lawyer Richard Hoeg shared his thoughts on the removal of Toasted’s original video. While acknowledging that the modification clearly infringes on Pokemon’s copyrights, he commends it for highlighting the stark differences between the core storyline of Palworld and the standard Pokemon games.

It’s worth noting Hoeg’s valid argument – Palworld is primarily a survival game with RPG elements, while Pokemon games are undeniably RPGs. In a previous article, we discussed why referring to Palworld as “Pokemon with weapons” is misleading, as the game introduces unique survival and management mechanics.

On the other hand, a former head of Pokemon’s legal department dismissed Palworld as “mere copying, something I’ve seen a thousand times a year.” It’s a rather categorical opinion, especially coming from someone who held such a position in Pokemon’s legal team.

Frequently Asked Questions:

Q: What is a Pokemon modification for Palworld?
A: A Pokemon modification for Palworld refers to a modified version of the game where the characters are replaced with famous creatures from the Pokemon series.

Q: Why did Nintendo and The Pokemon Company pay attention to this modification?
A: Nintendo and The Pokemon Company reacted to this modification because it infringes on the copyrights of the Pokemon franchise.

Q: Were Pokemon modifications for Palworld removed from the NexusMods platform?
A: Yes, the Palworld modding community on the NexusMods platform decided to ban Pokemon modifications out of fear of retaliation from Nintendo.

Q: How does Palworld differ from Pokemon games?
A: Palworld is a survival game with RPG elements, while Pokemon games are purely RPGs.

Q: What are the opinions on the Pokemon modifications for Palworld?
A: Opinions are divided. Richard Hoeg believes that the modification infringes on copyrights but showcases the narrative differences between Palworld and Pokemon. On the other hand, a former head of Pokemon’s legal department considers Palworld to be mere copying.

Defined terms/jargon:

1. Palworld – a video game that combines survival elements with RPG mechanics.

2. Modification – the process of changing or adapting a game by the player community.

3. Copyrights – the rights granted to authors, protecting their works from unauthorized use by others.