Game developers aren't really buying the 'similarities' between Palworld and Pokemon: "To 'accidentally' create a complex model mesh with so near-exact proportions is practically impossible”

Game developers aren't buying that several Pokemon and Palworld creatures look alike by mere coincidence. 

Since Palworld launched in Early Access last week, the survival game has frequently drawn comparisons to Pokemon for various reasons—some of the initial focus of comparisons focused on the similarities in several creature designs. While several Pals and 'mons look alike, the prevailing sentiment was that some homework was likely copied, but legal trouble was unlikely to follow – you can't copyright a sheep, after all. 

However, the character models used for the similar pocket pals are now catching the eye of several developers. As Twitter user 'Byofrog' points out in several posts, plenty of models of similar-looking Pokemon and Pals have character models that are just as similar – not exact, but apparently quite close. 

This "pal" from #Palword seems like it was probably a rip of serperior and primarina from #Pokemon pic.twitter.com/g8L8vBjbDGJanuary 21, 2024

"To 'accidentally' create a complex model mesh with so near-exact proportions is practically impossible," former Blizzard and PlayStation developer Eric Covington says. "To repeat that improbability throughout your roster… doesn't pass the sniff test."

Covington goes on to say that his thread isn't to "aim pitchforks" at the Palworld team but to provide a cautionary tale to those entering the industry. "Please do not cut corners," they say. "You increase the risk to your project, your company, and the credibility of your teammates and peers."

A Former Ubisoft and Detective Pikachu concept artist adds that "it's pretty hard to argue that this is just 'taking inspiration.'" When asked why Pokemon or Nintendo hasn't taken legal action yet, as Palworld has been in the public eye for years, they say: "Until seeing these models match so closely(which [The Pokemon Company] would only see upon release), I was also under the impression it was just a parody so they would be safe. This seems to be crossing the line