Palworld has become the hot topic of conversation, attracting attention whether it’s from avid players or those who simply despise it.

Although the gameplay leans more towards a survival crafting experience rather than the traditional Pokémon style, the creature designs have raised eyebrows. An anonymous Twitter user took the initiative to overlay Palworld’s creature models with Pokémon models, revealing strikingly similar proportions and scales.

Beyond the surface resemblance to certain Pokémon, the meticulous matching of specific design elements has stirred concerns about potential plagiarism.

While the model comparisons may not serve as conclusive evidence that the Palworld team directly utilised Pokémon models, they present the most compelling case thus far.

Game File reached out to Don McGowan, the former Chief Legal Officer for The Pokémon Company, who served in that role for 12 years from 2008 to 2020. McGowan expressed his thoughts, stating, “This looks like the usual ripoff nonsense that I would see a thousand times a year when I was Chief Legal Officer of Pokémon. I’m just surprised it got this far.”

It’s acknowledged that there are numerous Pokémon clones in the gaming sphere, often promoted on YouTube and accessible through platforms like Google Play and the App Store. These games, although free to play, generate revenue through in-game purchases and closely mimic Pokémon’s designs, even replicating similar names.

However, Palworld has surpassed its counterparts in popularity, emerging as one of Steam’s most-played titles ever with concurrent players exceeding 1.5 million, securing its position as the platform’s third most-played game of all time.

In response to the controversy, Palworld’s representative, Takuro Mizobe, vehemently denied any wrongdoing. Meanwhile, reports claim that the artists involved are facing  harassment and threats due to the ongoing dispute.

As of now, The Pokémon Company has remained silent on the Palworld matter, showing no indication of pursuing legal action against the company. The gaming community eagerly awaits further developments in this captivating saga.