Palworld had to remove game features because of Nintendo lawsuit
The ongoing lawsuit between Nintendo and Palworld developer Pocketpair has forced the studio to make some changes to its Pokémon -like game. In a new blog post, Pocketpair explained that a patch in November removed certain gameplay features, and that an upcoming update will cull even more. 'We have had to make certain compromises in order to avoid disruptions to the development and distribution of Palworld,' the studio says.
This started with a patch on November 30th, which most notably removed the ability to summon creatures by throwing a 'Pal Sphere,' which is reminiscent of summoning pokémon with a Poké Ball. The studio adds that other changes were made, without specifying what they were.
'As many have speculated, these changes were indeed a result of the ongoing litigation.'
'As many have speculated, these changes were indeed a result of the ongoing litigation,' Pocketpair explains. 'Everyone here at Pocketpair was disappointed that this adjustment had to be made, and we fully understand that many players feel the same frustration. Unfortunately, as the alternative would have led to an even greater deterioration of the gameplay experience for players, it was determined that this change was necessary.'
More changes are coming, as well. Pocketpair says that the upcoming patch v0.5.5 will change how gliding works, as 'gliding will be performed using a glider rather than with Pals.'
Nintendo first filed its patent infringement lawsuit in September of last year, and Pocketpair initially said that 'we are unaware of the specific patents we are accused of infringing upon, and we have not been notified of such details.' However, soon after the exact patents at the heart of the lawsuit were revealed, and they covered elements like riding characters and throwing balls in a field.
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The Verge
an hour ago
- The Verge
Nintendo's Switch era took Pokémon collecting to the next level
Though the first Nintendo Switch era of Pokémon games was undeniably rocky at times, it brought the series' trading and organization systems into a new level of maturity. It wasn't always easy to complete Pokédexes in remakes like Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl and new entries like Sword and Shield. But those games helped The Pokémon Company create a more seamless way to move your monsters from one title to another, or swap them with friends. And with the Pokémon franchise about to make its big debut on the Switch 2 with the cross-generation game Pokémon Legends: Z-A, it feels like The Pokémon Company is getting ready to take the trading system to the next level. In the Pokémon games, filling up your Pokédex has always been an exercise in patience, planning, and understanding that Nintendo and The Pokémon Company want you trading with other players rather than trying to catch 'em all on your own. The games' trading mechanics evolved as the series jumped from the Game Boy to new hardware. By Generation IV (the DS games), players could swap monsters remotely over the internet without needing to use wired link cables. And after years of many legendary and mythical pokémon only being obtainable through in-person events, The Pokémon Company and Game Freak used Pokémon 's Generation V to introduce a serial code redemption system that made snagging super-rare monsters infinitely easier. Bringing pokémon you first caught on older titles like the GBA's Pokémon Emerald up to more modern ones like the 3DS's Ultra Sun was still a very tedious process. But with each generation of games, The Pokémon Company was clearly building out a digital system that allowed players to experience their Pokémon adventures as one massive, continuous journey. That project continued in the Switch era with 2018's Let's Go games, 3D remakes of Pokémon Yellow that featured new mechanics inspired by Pokémon Go. It was wild to see Nintendo using a console title to capitalize on the success of a mobile application. But the way the Let's Go games connected with Pokémon Go and the Pokémon Home cloud storage service spoke volumes about Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's vision for the franchise's future. Like the 3DS's Pokémon Bank and Poké Transporter companion applications, Pokémon Home gave players an online space to stash their 'mons and a way to move them between games. Home's ability to connect with Bank made it useful for longtime fans looking to keep their favorite monsters with them. But the application was also clearly meant to help newer players — people drawn to the franchise by games like Scarlet / Violet and Legends: Arceus — start building collections that would keep them invested (both emotionally and financially) in the series. By requiring subscriptions, Pokémon Home and the Switch Pokémon games' online features helped Nintendo come into its own as a services company. Since Nintendo Switch Online's launch in 2018, Nintendo has sweetened the deal by gradually adding more of its classic games to the service, along with other features, like a streaming music app. It's been a little frustrating to watch the company choose not to put most of its older pre-DS Pokémon games online. But much like Nintendo and The Pokémon Company's tradition of making it impossible to complete the Pokédex without having access to both versions (e.g., Red / Blue) of the same game, this has felt like a calculated movie on the company's part to keep players thinking about spending more money. Especially with Pokémon Go and the various Switch remakes in the mix, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company built out an ecosystem of modern games that give players a way to catch virtually every single one of the franchise's creatures. And while none of the past Switch games have been focused on cataloging all the pokémon, that feels like something that could change as Pokémon moves to the Switch 2. Like Arceus before it, Legends: Z-A (a Switch game that's also getting a Switch 2 edition) will likely feature a limited selection of 'mons in order to put more focus on new gameplay mechanics and a fresh story. But as the Switch 2 becomes Nintendo's flagship platform, we could and arguably should see the Pokémon series evolve in some surprising ways. Legends: Z-A looks like a significant upgrade from Scarlet / Violet, but the franchise's potential to change more radically feels like something Nintendo has to be thinking about as it prepares for the next generation of mainline (rather than spinoff) games developed specifically for the Switch 2. Something as simple as bringing the classic games to NSO with Pokémon Home compatibility would make buying into the larger ecosystem with its various subscriptions a much more interesting prospect. It would be a huge win for Pokéfans still hanging out on the original Switch, and it would make upgrading to the Switch 2 feel even more like following the franchise into the future.
Associated Press
an hour ago
- Associated Press
iToolab AnyGo 50% Off for Easy GPS Spoofing during GO Fest 2025
NEW YORK, N.Y., May 29, 2025 (SEND2PRESS NEWSWIRE) — Pokémon GO Fest 2025 features live events in Osaka, Jersey City, and Paris, with a global finale on June 28–29. New Pokémon like Crowned Zacian, Zamazenta, and Volcanion are debuting. Whether you're attending or playing from home, there's plenty to catch. To help you explore event hotspots easily, iToolab AnyGo is now 50% off for GO Fest 2025. ITOOLAB ANYGO: SMARTER WAYS TO EXPLORE iToolab AnyGo – Location Changer is a smart and seamless GPS location changer built with iPhone and Android users in mind, but it does not stop there. With support for both Windows and Mac, this powerful tool provides a clear answer to the long-standing question of how to change iPhone location and Android location. It allows users to jump to any spot on the map in seconds. Whether you are joining a raid across the globe or hunting region-specific Pokémon, AnyGo makes the movement feel natural and effortless. ITOOLAB ANYGO LIMITED-TIME DEAL JUST FOR TRAINERS To celebrate Pokémon GO Fest 2025, iToolab AnyGo is making it easier and more affordable to explore the world from anywhere with one of the best Pokémon GO spoofers. Here is what you can get between May 29 and June 29, 2025. WHY TRAINERS NEED ITOOLAB ANYGO: KEY FEATURES HOW TO LOCATE NEARBY POKEMON AND SPOOF LOCATION QUICKLY ABOUT ITOOLAB ANYGO: iToolab AnyGo isn't just about changing your location—it's about playing smarter. With wireless control, instant teleportation, and smart Pokémon scanning, it helps you get more done in less time and allows you to perform fake GPS location on iPhone. No jailbreaking and no hassle, just smooth and safe spoofing that feels like magic for your favorite location-based games. LEARN MORE: Official Website: Facebook: X/Twitter: YouTube: NEWS SOURCE: iToolab Co Ltd Keywords: Technology, Pokemon GO Fest 2025, catch Zacian, Zamazenta, and Volcanion, iToolab AnyGo, gps spoofing, NEW YORK, N.Y. This press release was issued on behalf of the news source (iToolab Co Ltd) who is solely responsibile for its accuracy, by Send2Press® Newswire. Information is believed accurate but not guaranteed. Story ID: S2P126588 APNF0325A To view the original version, visit: © 2025 Send2Press® Newswire, a press release distribution service, Calif., USA. RIGHTS GRANTED FOR REPRODUCTION IN WHOLE OR IN PART BY ANY LEGITIMATE MEDIA OUTLET - SUCH AS NEWSPAPER, BROADCAST OR TRADE PERIODICAL. MAY NOT BE USED ON ANY NON-MEDIA WEBSITE PROMOTING PR OR MARKETING SERVICES OR CONTENT DEVELOPMENT. Disclaimer: This press release content was not created by nor issued by the Associated Press (AP). Content below is unrelated to this news story.
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
The Nintendo Switch Phone App Just Got A Lot Better
The Nintendo Switch 2 launches in exactly one week, and in the lead up to the new console, Nintendo has updated the Nintendo Switch Online app and made it much more useful. It also has a new, pithier name. Say goodbye to the Nintendo Switch Online App, and say hello to the Nintendo Switch App. On May 28, Nintendo quietly pushed out update 3.0.1 for the Nintendo Switch Online app. As mentioned, this abbreviated the app's name and also reworked some of its UI. But the big news is that the Switch App will now let you upload screenshots and videos from the Switch 2 directly to your phone without needing to use a QR code. You can even set the Switch 2 to automatically upload up to 100 screenshots and videos to the app. These will remain available to download from your phone for 30 days. Even better, this new feature is available for free, no paid Switch Online membership is needed. However, this new option is only available on the Switch 2. Some other great changes include the ability to add friends via the app itself, and the ability to receive notifications on your phone when your friends log on. A lot of these features are things that have existed in Sony and Microsoft's apps and consoles for years now, so it does feel like Nintendo is finally catching up. Still, it's nice that the Switch app on phones will feel more modern and be far more useful. As someone who never shared a screenshot from my Switch to my phone, I was gobsmacked that you had to use a QR code and transfer it over wifi. Using the cloud and letting the console do it automatically is a huge improvement. Here are the full patch notes for the big update: The app name has changed from Nintendo Switch Online to Nintendo Switch App. Elements of the app design have been updated. Nintendo Switch 2 consoles are now supported. Screenshots and videos saved in your console's album can now be uploaded to the app. You can now receive GameChat invitations. More friend features are now available in the app. You can now add friends via the app. You can choose to receive a notification in the app when a friend comes online. Various other small improvements and bug fixes have been made. . For the latest news, Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
