Palworld Developer Pocketpair Removes Pal Gliding Amid Nintendo Lawsuit and New EULA Allowing System Bricking

Palworld developer Pocketpair has been compelled to remove and alter several gameplay features, including the ability to glide while riding creatures known as Pals, due to an ongoing patent infringement lawsuit filed by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company. The changes, described by Pocketpair as "disappointing," are part of a series of compromises made to avoid further legal disruptions. The developer disputes Nintendo's claims but acknowledges the necessity of these modifications as preventive measures. Recent updates have also altered the method of summoning creatures by throwing items, reflecting the impact of the lawsuit on the game's core mechanics. Despite these adjustments, Pocketpair aims to eventually challenge the patents and potentially restore original gameplay elements in the future. Meanwhile, Nintendo has updated its End User License Agreement (EULA) to prevent class-action lawsuits and introduced provisions allowing the company to disable systems that violate its terms, including potentially rendering Nintendo Switch consoles permanently unusable if restrictions are breached.