Palworld removes creature-based gliding after Pokémon lawsuit pressure
Pocketpair has announced new gameplay changes to Palworld, citing ongoing legal issues with The Pokémon Company and Nintendo. The update is part of Patch v0.5.5 and introduces another mechanic adjustment following earlier modifications made under legal pressure.
In a statement shared via their official X account on May 8, 2025, Pocketpair revealed that players must now use a glider item from their inventory to glide—replacing the previous feature that allowed gliding with the help of in-game creatures known as Pals. While Pals in a player's team will still offer passive buffs to gliding, they will no longer be used directly for airborne movement.
'We regret to inform our players that with the implementation of Patch v0.5.5, we must make yet another compromise,' the developer wrote. Pocketpair acknowledged player disappointment but stressed that these changes are necessary to prevent further legal disruption to the game's development.
This change follows a previous adjustment made in November 2024, when Pocketpair removed the familiar mechanic of summoning Pals by throwing Pal Spheres. That patch came after the company revealed that Nintendo and The Pokémon Company had filed a lawsuit seeking ¥10 million (approximately $66,000 USD), with potential penalties to be added for any late payments.
In closing, Pocketpair apologised to fans for the ongoing uncertainty caused by the litigation. 'We remain committed to developing Palworld and delivering exciting new content,' the company said.
Despite legal hurdles, the developers reaffirmed their focus on growing the game and maintaining support from their player community.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Business Recorder
a day ago
- Business Recorder
Nintendo aims to match Switch success with new console
TOKYO: Nintendo hopes to match the runaway success of the Switch when its levelled-up new console hits shelves Thursday, with strong early sales expected despite the gadget's high price. Featuring a bigger screen and more processing power, the Switch 2 is an upgrade to its predecessor, which has sold 152 million units since launching in 2017 – making it the third best-selling video game console of all time. But despite buzz among fans and robust demand for pre-orders, headwinds for Nintendo include uncertainty over US trade tariffs and whether enough people are willing to shell out. The Switch 2 'is priced relatively high' compared to the original device, company president Shuntaro Furukawa said at a financial results briefing in May. 'So even if there is momentum around the launch, we know it will not be easy to keep that momentum going over the long term,' he warned. Sales of the Switch, which can connect to a TV or be played on the go, were boosted by the popularity of games like 'Animal Crossing' as a pandemic lockdown pastime. The Japanese company forecasts it will shift 15 million Switch 2 consoles in the current financial year, roughly equal to the original in the same period after its release. The new device costs $449.99 in the United States, over a third more than the Switch. A Japan-only version is cheaper, at 49,980 yen ($350). New Switch 2 games such as 'Donkey Kong Bonanza' and 'Mario Kart World' – which allows players to go exploring off-grid – are also more expensive than existing Switch titles. Most original Switch games can be played on the Switch 2, and some Switch blockbusters such as 'Zelda: Breath of the Wild' will have enhanced editions released for the new incarnation. 'Super excited' 'People were a bit shocked by the price of 'Mario Kart World', the first $80 game that we've ever seen,' said Krysta Yang of the Nintendo-focused Kit & Krysta Podcast. While the company is 'going to have to do some work' to convince more casual gamers that it's worth upgrading, Nintendo fans are 'super excited', she told AFP. The Switch 2 will have eight times the memory of the first Switch, and its controllers, which attach with magnets, can also be used like a desktop computer mouse. Nintendo's robust lottery applications indicate pent-up Switch 2 demand Although the new console is not radically different, 'a lot of people (are) saying, 'this is what I wanted, I wanted a more powerful Switch – don't mess with a good thing',' said Yang, a former Nintendo employee. New functions allowing users to chat as they play online and temporarily share games with friends could also be a big draw, said David Gibson of MST Financial. 'It's a way to appeal to an audience which has got used much more to the idea of streaming games and watching games, as well as playing games,' he told AFP, predicting that the Switch 2 will break records in terms of early sales. And success is crucial for Nintendo. While the 'Super Mario' maker is diversifying into theme parks and hit movies, around 90 percent of its revenue still comes from the Switch business, analysts say. Tariff trouble? Nintendo delayed pre-orders for the Switch 2 in the United States by two weeks as it assessed the impact from President Donald Trump's global assault on free trade. But its pre-orders have since sold out in the US market and elsewhere, with the company boasting of particularly high demand in Japan. Furukawa said in May that Nintendo's financial projections are based on the assumption of US tariffs of 10 percent on products produced in Japan, Vietnam, and Cambodia, and 145 percent on China. 'Hardware for North America is mainly produced in Vietnam,' he added. Trump's hefty so-called 'reciprocal' tariff of 46 percent on goods from Vietnam is on pause, while those on China have been slashed. Tariff uncertainty could in fact push consumers to buy a Switch 2 sooner, because they are worried that the price could go up, Yang said. Charlotte Massicault, director of multimedia and gaming at the French retail giant Fnac Darty, told AFP that pre-sale demand has been 'well above what we imagined'. 'For us, this will be a record in terms of first-day sales for a games console,' she said. The Switch 2 is 'less of a family-focused product, and more of a 'gamer' product' compared to the Switch, she said. 'That's what Nintendo wanted, and it works.'
Express Tribune
14-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Super Mario World revealed as title for Mario movie sequel releasing in April 2026
The sequel to Illumination and Nintendo's blockbuster The Super Mario Bros. Movie is officially titled Super Mario World, according to a press release by NBCUniversal outlining its upcoming film slate. The sequel is scheduled for theatrical release on 3 April 2026. Following the first film's commercial success, a sequel was confirmed soon after, though details remained limited until now. An end-credit scene in the 2023 film teased Yoshi's arrival, and NBCUniversal's slate confirms his expanded role in the sequel. As reported by NintendoJam, the title Super Mario World pays homage to the iconic 1990 SNES game, which marked Yoshi's first appearance in the Mario franchise. The title suggests the film may draw heavily from that game, with Yoshi expected to take centre stage. Super Mario World is being produced by Illumination CEO Chris Meledandri alongside Nintendo's Shigeru Miyamoto, the original creator of Mario. Returning to direct are Aaron Horvath and Michael Jelenic, with Matthew Fogel once again handling the screenplay. With the title and release date now confirmed, fans can expect more updates as the film moves toward its 2026 premiere.
Express Tribune
09-05-2025
- Express Tribune
Deltarune Chapters 3 and 4 expand Toby Fox's RPG universe with upcoming launch
Toby Fox's popular RPG Deltarune continues with the upcoming release of Chapters 3 and 4, which will be available on Nintendo Switch 2, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5 and PC. The new instalments will be released on 5 June 2025 and mark the next chapter in Fox's distinct storytelling journey, nearly four years after the launch of Chapter 2. Nintendo confirmed the new content as part of its Switch 2 launch lineup. The bundle will include all previously released chapters, allowing new players to experience the full story from the beginning. Deltarune follows the character Kris in a surreal, choice-driven world where gameplay blends turn-based combat with emotional storytelling and unpredictable humour. With Fox again handling both game design and music, fans can expect a continuation of the series' unique tone and visual style. The upcoming chapters will also be available on PlayStation and PC, ensuring a wide release for returning players regardless of platform. Chapters 3 and 4 are expected to advance the plot significantly, although specific story details remain under wraps. The addition of new content promises more character development, expanded environments and further evolution of the game's mechanics. Since its debut, Deltarune has built a dedicated audience through its storytelling and unconventional gameplay. The delay between chapters has only heightened anticipation, and the June release is set to be one of the year's major indie gaming events.
