Palworld's Global PS5 Launch Hits Snag: Japan Release Delayed Amid Nintendo Lawsuit Speculation
Sony Announces Global PS5 Launch of Palworld, Japan Release Delayed
Sony’s recent State of Play presentation revealed the highly anticipated PlayStation 5 launch of Palworld, with the game now available in 68 countries and regions worldwide. However, Japan, the home country of developer Pocketpair, is notably absent from the list of launch territories.
The official Japanese account for Palworld addressed the situation on social media platform X, stating that the release date for Japan “has not yet been decided.” No specific reason was provided for the delay, leaving fans to speculate on the cause.
One potential factor behind the postponement could be the recent patent infringement lawsuit filed by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company against Pocketpair. However, the developer’s social media post did not confirm whether this legal action is directly responsible for the delay in Japan.
Pocketpair’s most recent statement regarding the lawsuit, dated September 19th, acknowledges the legal challenge and outlines their intention to pursue appropriate legal proceedings and investigations. The company maintains that they are currently unaware of the specific patents they are accused of infringing upon and have not received detailed information about the allegations.
Despite the setback in Japan, the official Palworld account emphasized the game’s global release across 68 countries and regions, directing fans to a link for more information. As the situation develops, players and industry observers alike will be watching closely to see how the legal dispute and delayed Japanese launch unfold.
