Palworld’s Mac Launch Delayed Amid Legal Challenges

Pocketpair has pushed back the Mac release of their hit game Palworld. Initially planned for November 26, 2024, the game will now launch on February 27, 2025.

According to a press release, the extra time will allow the development team to fully leverage Metal and Unreal Engine 5 technologies. The Mac version will feature advanced graphics enhancements such as HDR and MetalFX Upscaling, promising a visually immersive experience tailored to Apple devices.

When it comes to pricing, Mac users can expect to pay ¥3,400 in Japan or $29.99 in the United States, keeping it consistent with other platforms.

The survival-crafting game has already made significant waves in the gaming industry. Earlier this year, it achieved a remarkable milestone by becoming Steam’s second most-played game of all time (until Black Myth Wukong breaks it).

This success, however, hasn’t come without challenges. The game’s creature designs sparked heated discussions within the Pokemon community, eventually leading to legal action. Nintendo claims patent infringements related to Pokemon Legends: Arceus and seeking both an injunction to halt Palworld’s distribution, as well as compensation for alleged damages.

Despite these legal hurdles, Palworld continues to demonstrate impressive market performance. Just a week after the lawsuit, the game made its way to PlayStation 5 on September 26, 2024, for most regions, with Japan following shortly after on October 4, 2024. The game’s reception in Japan has been particularly noteworthy, where it claimed the top spot on PS5’s download charts for October 2024, outperforming highly anticipated Japanese titles like Metaphor: ReFantazio and Dragon Ball Sparking Zero. The game’s success extends beyond Asia, with a strong performance in North America, where it secured the tenth position on PS5’s download charts.

This performance adds to Palworld’s existing presence on Xbox Series X|S, PS5, and PCs, showcasing its broad appeal across gaming platforms. Additionally, the developer is collaborating with Krafton’s PUBG Studios to develop a mobile port in the future.