Palworld Glider Update Applied In Latest Patch Due To Nintendo Lawsuit

Summary

Nintendo’s lawsuit directly impacts Palworld, resulting in significant changes to gliders in the game.
Pocketpair made glider gameplay adjustments to avoid disruptions due to ongoing litigation with Nintendo.
Players now need a glider in inventory to glide, replacing the ability to glide using Pals due to the lawsuit.

Nintendo’s lawsuit against Palworld developer Pocketpair Inc. has now impacted the game directly, which players will see today as part of a patch that significantly changes how the glider works.

Palworld announced the glider changes as part of an acknowledgment that they are currently involved in “prolonged legal proceedings” against Nintendo, and what the House of Mario claims is an infringement on its Pokémon trademark.

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Palworld’s Latest Update Changes Gliders And It’s All Because Of Nintendo

Palworld’s latest comment on the ongoing Nintendo lawsuit happened earlier today, where the studio shared details over on X (formerly Twitter).

Pocketpair apologized for being silent about the lawsuit, though admitted that it is difficult to be transparent while litigation is ongoing. The studio continues to dispute Nintendo’s claims, though this necessitated certain compromises in order to avoid “disruptions” the development and distribution of Palworld.

“On November 30th, 2024, we released Patch v0.3.11 for Palworld. This patch removed the ability to summon Pals by throwing Pal Spheres and instead changed it to a static summon next to the player. Several other game mechanics were also changed with this patch. As many have speculated, these changes were indeed a result of the ongoing litigation. Everyone here at Pocketpair was disappointed that this adjustment had to be made, and we fully understand that many players feel the same frustration. Unfortunately, as the alternative would have led to an even greater deterioration of the gameplay experience for players, it was determined that this change was necessary,” Pocketpair shared.

Not only that, but today’s patch applies yet another compromise. “we regret to inform our players that with the implementation of Patch v0.5.5, we must make yet another compromise. From this patch onward, gliding will be performed using a glider rather than with Pals. Pals in the player’s team will still provide passive buffs to gliding, but players will now need to have a glider in their inventory in order to glide.”

Pocketpair apologizes for the changes and for disappointing its players, and again repeated that they are doing this to “prevent further disruptions to the development of Palworld.”

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As for the actual changes made to gliders, it’s a big one.

Mechanics Adjustment

The mechanics for gliding with a Pal have been changed.

→ Until now, you could use certain Pals as a glider, however from this patch you will only be able to glide by using a glider.

Glider Pals will now provide a new passive partner skill effect while gliding, but the player must have a glider equipped to actually glide.

Yep, no more hanging on a Pal to glide. While they will still be there, they will act more as buffs and a reminder that Palworld is fighting it out in the courtroom against Nintendo.

Oddly enough, despite the lawsuit, Pocketpair is still considering releasing Palworld on Switch 2, which we assume Nintendo won’t allow.

Once more changes are made because of Nintendo’s lawsuit, we’ll let our readers know.