Palworld Launches on Mobile Despite Nintendo Legal Battle
Indie hit Palworld continues its expansion, with the game now launching on mobile despite an ongoing legal battle with Nintendo. Pocketpair, the game's developer, remains unfazed by the legal troubles and has partnered with Krafton to bring the creature-collecting survival game to mobile devices.
Palworld's Mobile Launch Amid Legal Battle
The mobile version is set to reach a wider audience
Although Palworld launches on mobile under the cloud of a lawsuit filed by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company in Japan, it’s clear that Pocketpair and Krafton are determined to push forward. Krafton, best known for publishing PUBG, announced that the mobile version will be developed by PUBG Studios.
Krafton hasn’t revealed whether the mobile version will be an exact port of the PC and console versions or if the game will feature mobile-specific adjustments. However, they confirmed that the mobile version will retain the core fun elements that have captivated fans of the original game.
Free-to-Play Model Likely for Palworld Mobile
Krafton hints at a familiar model
Given Krafton’s success with PUBG Mobile, which faithfully adapted the battle royale experience while adopting a free-to-play model, many expect a similar approach with Palworld’s mobile launch. While the PC and console versions of the game are paid, the mobile version may follow the free-to-play format, especially considering that Palworld’s largest audience is in China, where free-to-play games dominate the market.
Nintendo’s Legal Battle and Future Challenges
How long can Palworld stay untouched globally?
Despite Palworld launching on mobile, the looming legal battle with Nintendo remains unresolved. Currently, the lawsuit is only active in Japan, and Nintendo has yet to extend its legal actions outside of this market. Nintendo's case is focused on patent infringement claims related to mechanics found in its Pokémon games, and this could spell trouble for Palworld in other regions as well if the legal battle intensifies.
For now, Palworld has launched on mobile worldwide, and fans are excited to see how the mobile version shapes up under the development expertise of PUBG Studios.