Palworld, a recently released survival-based game that quickly gained popularity with over 1 million concurrent players on Steam, faced significant controversy and allegations of plagiarism. Read on to know more.
Palworld and Pokémon Comparisons Drawn by Players
Alleged Use of AI in Palworld Suggested by CEO's Old Tweets
Palworld stirred debates within the gaming community over its creature designs, perceived similarities to notable games like Pokémon, and accusations of using artificial intelligence (AI) in its creative process.
Old tweets from Palworld's CEO Takuro Mizobe resurfaced and added fuel to the controversy. In tweets dating back to 2021, Mizobe discussed the evolution of AI and its potential role in avoiding copyright infringement. One tweet stated, "AI has evolved so much that it is hard to tell which one is the Pokémon," alongside images of Pokemon and AI-generated lookalikes.
Palworld was met with waves of criticism, primarily on claims of plagiarism. Players pointed out the distinct likeness between Palworld creatures, "Pals", and various Pokémon, leading to accusations against the game's developers, Pocketpair. The controversy led to some Pokémon fans accusing Palworld of blatantly copying Pokémon developers Game Freak's designs.
Despite the allegations and public discussion, Pocketpair and CEO Takuro Mizobe have not directly addressed the claims that AI was used in Palworld's design process.
Some fans, on the other hand, expressed their support for the game and emphasized the need for competition in the creature-collecting RPG genre. While acknowledging the controversy, fans argued that the gaming industry benefits from healthy competition and the introduction of new and exciting concepts.
"From the very beginning of Palworld's planning, it was decided that the main focus would be 'shooting with guns' from an FPS/TPS perspective," noted the CEO in a blog post. Palworld's unique blend of survival-based gameplay, creature-collection mechanics, and its distinctive take on the "Pokemon with guns" concept garnered interest and support from players who may be seeking a fresh alternative to established franchises.
Palworld's 100 Character Concepts Mostly Created by Palword's Artist
In a blog post, the CEO addressed the character designs, claiming that Palworld's 100 character concepts were mostly created by a single graduate student whom Pocketpair eventually hired. Mizobe also discussed the use of inspirations in Pocketpair's games in a previous interview with Wired Japan. The CEO shared:
"I have always loved Nintendo games, and that hasn't changed. I still love Nintendo games and respect them deeply. However, Nintendo has a strong philosophy of creating new and unique games with high quality. On the other hand, I have a deep-seated desire to have as many people as possible enjoy my games, so if there are good ideas in the world, I will pick them up. I want to create in a more appropriate manner, or rather, I want to create with ease. I think it's okay to create in that way, like jumping on the bandwagon (laughs)."
While complaints and concerns about Palworld's creature designs being too close to Pokemon have been numerous, the overall reception to the game's release has been largely positive. Palworld currently boasts over a million players, and its Steam reviews are predominantly positive.
Source:
Some Pokemon Fans Are Not Happy About Palworld
Palworld players claim CEO’s old tweets prove Pals are being AI-generated
Palworld embroiled in AI and Pokémon ‘plagiarism’ controversy
A coincidental story called Palworld, where your fate will be decided in 3 days.
Wired Japan interview with Takuro Mizobe
