While Nintendo Advance with legal action against the video game PALWORLD For alleged intellectual property infringement related to its star franchise Pokemon, users have noticed a small detail that seems to contradict the company’s mentality. The eShop of Nintendo Japan has recently approved the publication of two games that clearly imitate what was seen in one piece, both in aesthetics and in concept.
After the revelation of the existence of these two video games that received the approval to be published in the store of the company of the great n, has set the alarms in the community. The inevitable question arises: Why does Nintendo act with such harshness in some cases, but it allows blatant imitations in others?
The Palworld vs Nintendo case is quite peculiar
Before starting to talk about the current situation, it is time to mention some context in relation to the last great demand for Nintendo. PALWORLD, the popular survival game with creatures that many have compared to Pokemon, has been under fire since its launch. Nintendo, along with The Pokemon Company, has expressed concern about the similarities between the designs of the Pals And the monsters of his popular franchise.
Details of possible demands have even been leaked for “similar mechanics”, which are patented by the great n. This accusation, for many, is exaggerated. They consider functions like flying mounted on creatures or skill combinations to be common in many video games.
PALWORLD He has already been forced to make changes to his gameplay. One of the most absurd adjustments so far: Eliminate the possibility of flying with your creatures. This mechanic is present in dozens of adventure and fantasy titles. The gamer community sees it as an act of creative censorship that responds more to protecting a “brand” than to a real debate on originality or plagiarism.
What relationship does it have? PALWORLD and one piece?
Meanwhile, the eShop Japanese has approved two independent titles that clearly parody or imitate the universe of one piece without any dissimulation. We talk about:
- Pirate Anime Quest: One Boys Journey, A Piece of Island Love
- Pirate Anime Quest: One Girls Journey, A Piece of Island Love
Both games appear with very generic descriptions and a gameplay focused on “combining forbidden fruits to win the heart of your ideal pirate”. The characters look too visually like the Mugiwara (the straw hat pirates) created by Eiichiro Oda. Mechanics include dialogue options, unlockable scenes, and mini-games Suika Game, and they focus on romantic or even suggestive in some cases.
Despite their different names, the titles share Almost identical promotional captures Seen to one of the most popular animes. Even typography and colors are reminiscent of visual elements of one piece.
The reaction was immediate
In Japanese social networks and forums such as 5ch, many fans were confused and outraged. “Nintendo becomes a guardian of intellectual property when it suits him,” commented a user. Another said, “How is it possible that an erotic clone of One Piece is available in the eShop, but PALWORLD be considered a threat?
The irony did not go unnoticed by the fans of one piece and pointed out that Nintendo, known for its rigidity with copyright, has allowed these titles to reach the market without any type of review or warning. Even if they are small developers or low-budget games, the lack of filters attracts attention.
Nintendo takes action too late?
After the stir in networks, Nintendo Japan suspended the sale of both games. However, this decision came alone After the media started reporting the situation and the conversation explodes among the fans.
At the time of writing the corresponding article, there is no official information on whether the owners of the rights of one piece that is, Shueisha or TOEI animation, have initiated any legal action or issued a statement. It is also not clear whether Nintendo will impose stricter rules on its digital store to prevent similar situations from happening in the future.
Double standards or carelessness?
The case puts an awkward question back on the table: To what extent do big companies apply their rules fairly and consistently? While PALWORLD Receives a shower of demands for “too much like” Pokémon, Nintendo It gives free rein to parodies that, although comical, they obviously use elements of a franchise as large as one piece.
In a panorama where creativity and intellectual property clash constantly, the minimum expected is coherence on the part of entertainment giants. Because if we are going to talk about protecting ideas… let it be even.
