9. Palworld and Pokémon controversy

The game Palworld was an unexpected hit in 2024. Releasing in January on Steam, it sold millions of copies despite it being an “Early Access” game. That is, development on it is ongoing by Japanese studio Pocketpair. The game features crafting and survival gameplay in an open-world setting, where you can “fight, farm, build and work” together with creatures the game calls “Pals”.

Controversy has erupted, though, over the design of these creatures, with some gamers pointing out that the “Pals” look a bit too similar to Pokémon, to the point that studio Pocketpair could be accused of plagiarism… Game director Takuro Mizobe has denied this, claiming Palworld’s artists had been subjected to abuse online, while others claim Pocketpair has blurred the lines between being inspired by Pokémon and outright plagiarism of game assets, a controversy that’s likely to continue while the game remains on Steam’s early access.

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