Takuro Mizobe, CEO of Pocketpair, the developer behind the popular game Palworld, has taken to social media to accuse Chinese game companies of replicating their concept. The statement, translated by Automaton, highlights Mizobe's concerns over what he perceives as a trend of Palworld clones emerging in the gaming market.
(Photo : Pocketpair / Screenshot taken from Steam.)
Auroria: A Palworld-Like Game in the Works
Mizobe's tweet specifically references a game called Auroria, developed by Tianjin Wumai Technology Co., Ltd., and published by HK Hero Entertainment Co., Limited, and Tencent.
Auroria, described as an open-world multiplayer sandbox game, bears striking similarities to Palworld, albeit with a space-themed twist. Scheduled for release in the second quarter of 2024, Auroria's announcement adds weight to Mizobe's claims of Palworld clones proliferating in the industry.
Industry Trends and Allegations of Game Cloning
The emergence of Auroria is not an isolated incident. Reports suggest that Tencent, among other Chinese game giants, is also working on a Palworld-inspired mobile game. Additionally, NetEase Games' Once Human has drawn comparisons to Palworld, signaling a broader trend in the gaming industry towards replicating successful game concepts.
Palworld, often described as "Pokémon with guns," has enjoyed immense success since its launch in January. Despite its popularity, the game has been embroiled in controversy, with accusations of plagiarizing Pokémon's concept. Mizobe and Pocketpair have vehemently denied these allegations, stating that Palworld offers a unique gameplay experience.
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