Palworld, often dubbed "Pokemon with guns," has found itself tangled in a thorny legal web spun by The Pokemon Company. Since its explosive launch, the survival game by Pocketpair faced scrutiny over similarities to Pokemon, leading to a lawsuit that's now rippling through gameplay mechanics. Last year, in November 2024, an update quietly axed Pal Spheres—devices eerily reminiscent of Poke Balls—and now, as we navigate 2025, another core feature is on the chopping block. The studio confirmed this week that gliding with Pals will vanish in the upcoming v0.5.5 patch, forcing players to rely on mundane gliders instead. This isn't just tweaking; it's a forced amputation, driven by accusations of patent infringement over using creatures for traversal. Pocketpair's attempts to appease Pokemon's creators feel like pruning a bonsai tree—necessary for survival, but stripping away the wild, untamed essence that once defined it. 😢 And so, the saga continues, with players bracing for more cuts.

The Disappearance of Pal Spheres

Back in late 2024, Pocketpair rolled out Patch v0.3.11, which officially removed the ability to summon Pals by throwing Pal Spheres. As the studio admitted in a social media update, this was a direct result of the ongoing litigation with The Pokemon Company. For those unfamiliar, Pal Spheres functioned almost identically to Poke Balls: players tossed them to call forth creatures for battles and exploration. The removal sparked widespread speculation, but it wasn't until this year that Pocketpair laid the blame squarely on Pokemon's legal team. Imagine the legal battle as a shadow puppet show—every gesture from The Pokemon Company casts a long, distorted silhouette, turning minor mechanics into high-stakes targets. palworld-s-legal-woes-pokemon-patent-fallout-image-0 Players reacted with dismay, as this stripped away a layer of immersion. Key points from the fallout:

  • Timeline of Removal:

| Date | Update | Change |

|------|--------|--------|

| Nov 30, 2024 | v0.3.11 | Pal Spheres summoning disabled |

| Early 2025 | v0.5.5 (upcoming) | Pal gliding to be replaced |

  • Player Impact: Without Pal Spheres, summoning now feels clunky and indirect, like trying to start a campfire with wet matches. Community forums lit up with complaints, as this altered core loop strategies overnight. Pocketpair offered no immediate alternatives, leaving a void in the gameplay experience.

The Axe Falls on Pal Gliding

Now, in the latest development for 2025, Pocketpair has revealed that Patch v0.5.5 will remove the ability to glide using Pals entirely. Previously, players could soar across the Palpagos Islands by harnessing creatures like Koraidon or Miraidon stand-ins, but from this update onward, only a standard glider will be permitted. The studio cited "compromises" due to the lawsuit, specifically noting that The Pokemon Company owns a patent for gliding with creatures in video games. This is more surprising than the Pal Spheres debacle; after all, gliding mechanics are common in many games, but the patent claim zeroes in on the creature aspect like owning the idea of breathing underwater with gills in fiction—hyper-specific and stifling. Why target this? It's tied to Pokemon Scarlet & Violet, where similar mechanics exist, and Pokemon's creators seem determined to guard their turf. Players will still get passive buffs from Pals, but the thrill of aerial freedom is gone. Reactions include:

  • 😠 Anger over lost features: "It's like having wings clipped mid-flight," one Redditor lamented.

  • 🤔 Confusion: If gliding with a glider is still allowed, why not with Pals? Pocketpair hasn't clarified, adding to the murkiness.

The Pokemon Company's lawsuit hinges on perceived infringements beyond just visuals. Palworld's survival elements differ significantly—players build bases, craft weapons, and engage in combat—but similarities in creature mechanics have become flashpoints. The patent for creature-based gliding is particularly contentious; it's as if The Pokemon Company has claimed a monopoly on digital zoological aerodynamics, turning innovation into a minefield. Pocketpair's defensive moves, like removing features, aim to avoid deeper legal quagmires, but they risk alienating fans. The legal tussle resembles a game of chess where every pawn sacrificed is a mechanic lost, yet the endgame remains unclear. Players speculate on future targets:

  • Could breeding or evolution systems be next? Pocketpair hasn't hinted, but the pattern suggests vulnerability.

  • Community backlash: Surveys show 70% of players feel the game is losing its soul. 😔

Future Outlook: A Personal Perspective

Looking ahead, the path for Palworld feels fraught but not hopeless. From my vantage point, if Pocketpair embraces this as a catalyst, they could pivot toward wholly original mechanics—perhaps integrating AI-driven creature behaviors or environmental interactions that defy imitation. It's like a phoenix reinventing flight; the ashes of legal battles might birth something unexpectedly brilliant. By 2026, I envision Palworld evolving beyond Pokemon's shadow, crafting a niche where patents can't reach. Until then, players must adapt, holding onto hope that creativity isn't permanently grounded.