Looking up those patents, the first alludes to a system where a player aims and fires an “item” toward a character in a field, and in doing so triggers combat, and then dives into extraordinary intricacies about switching between modes within this. The second is very similar, but seems more directly focused on tweaking previous patents to including being able to capture Pokémon in the wild, rather than only during battle. The third, rather wildly, seems to be trying to claim a modification to the invention of riding creatures in an open world and being able to transition between them easily.

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[–] [email protected] 24 points 1 month ago (3 children)

Obviously this depends on the exact details of the patents, which are all in Japanese, as well as the specifics of Japanese patent laws.

However, patents only last for 20 years, and they are undermined by public disclosure before filing. The first Pokemon game came out more than 20 years ago. However^2 not all of the features in the patents were present in the original games. All 3 patents were first filed in 2021, well after many of these features were established.

The first patent is about aiming something and entering into a fight mode. This wasn't in the original game. Aiming at enemies and entering a fight mode almost certainly existed before Pokemon (Final Fantasy perhaps). Furthermore, Palworld doesn't really have a fight mode - it isn't a turn based game but real time. Throwing a sphere is just one way to start a "battle" but there is no mode change between "explore" and "battle" modes because they are functionally the same in Palworld. Pokemon Go and Pokemon Let's Go Pikachu/Eevee, which were all around in 2018, would seem to amount to public disclosure that undermines this patent.

The second patent has more detail about catching Pokemon outside of battles. This might have some elements of Palworld gameplay in it. However, again we have prior art that predates the patent.

The third patent is about riding characters. This has certainly existed in other games before Pokemon and before this patent. Off the top of my head, World of Warcraft had you riding mounts, Final Fantasy had you riding Chocobos, and Mega Man let you ride Rush.

However the big issue with all of these is that these challenges are always better off done before the patent is granted. With the patents established it is a massive uphill struggle trying to get them withdrawn. Given that each charge is only for $33,000, so about $100,000 total, I expect a settlement will be reached instead of going on this fight.

[–] Kelly 21 points 1 month ago

Given that each charge is only for $33,000, so about $100,000 total, I expect a settlement will be reached instead of going on this fight.

Unfortunately that would be the worst outcome for everyone else.

The patents need to be contested and invalidated or smaller devs will feel they can't use these mechanics.

[–] [email protected] 12 points 1 month ago (1 children)

If I recall correctly weren’t all the patients filed for and approved after PAL World released?

[–] [email protected] 1 points 1 month ago

Looking it up, Palworld was announced in 2021, but not released (under early access) until 2024. However they were apparently designing the game back in 2020, if not earlier.

[–] AkatsukiLevi 5 points 1 month ago (1 children)

The third one, wouldn't it hit Rockstar with Red Dead Redemption? After all, you do ride a animal(horse) and can easily swap in and our of 'em

[–] Breezy 7 points 1 month ago

I thought of elden ring more so of the patent. Palworld wasnt as smooth as summoning torrent, but it felt very similar.