Pocketpair announced gameplay changes in Palworld Patch v0.5.5, replacing Pal-assisted gliding with a glider item due to legal pressure from Nintendo and The Pokémon Company’s ongoing lawsuit.
On May 8, 2025, Pocketpair announced through its official X account that Palworld Patch v0.5.5 will remove the mechanic that allowed players to glide using in-game creatures known as Pals. Instead, a new glider item will be introduced.
According to Kotaku, the change comes in response to a lawsuit from Nintendo and The Pokémon Company and follows a November 2024 update that eliminated the Pal Sphere summoning feature. As reported by GameSpot, Pals will now offer passive gliding buffs but will not enable direct airborne movement.
Palworld has been forced to remove the ability to fly with Pals, due to the ongoing Pokemon / Nintendo lawsuit against them pic.twitter.com/GXGbMEdDP2
— Dexerto (@Dexerto) May 8, 2025“We regret this compromise, but it’s necessary to avoid further legal disruption,” Pocketpair stated, apologising for player disappointment while pledging continued development, per Eurogamer. The lawsuit, filed in 2024, seeks ¥10 million (USD 66,000) and potential penalties, per Reuters. The update, trending on X, sparked mixed reactions, with fans praising Pocketpair’s resilience but lamenting gameplay shifts.
Legal Context and Game Evolution
The legal battle, centred on alleged similarities between Palworld’s creatures and Pokémon, has forced multiple mechanic tweaks since the game’s 2024 early access launch, which sold 5 million copies in days, per PC Gamer.
[Regarding the lawsuit, changes to Palworld and the future]
We would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for the continued support of our fans over the past few months. We apologize for not being able to share as much information as we would like, but we trust…
— Palworld (@Palworld_EN) May 8, 2025Despite litigation, Pocketpair’s commitment to new content aligns with its 25 million-player base, per Steam data. The change in gliders, though controversial, aims to support Palworld’s growth. Analysts at Bloomberg observe its potential to adapt under pressure.
Pocketpair’s Palworld Patch v0.5.5, announced on May 8, 2025, replaces Pal gliding with a glider item, a response to Nintendo’s ongoing lawsuit. Despite legal challenges, the developer’s focus on growth keeps fans engaged. As Palworld evolves, its ability to balance innovation and compliance will shape its future.
