Pixel P&L: What Pokémon Could Learn from Its Competition

Good morning. It’s Wednesday, 9th October. Today’s feature delves into Nintendo’s lawsuit against Palworld developer Pocketpair—revealing more than a typical IP dispute. We explore how Palworld’s fresh take on the genre challenges Pokémon’s dominance, pushing the franchise to confront its own limitations.

Also in today’s edition: updates on the Epic Games lawsuit against Google, fallout from the case, and coverage of Tamil Nadu’s Chief Minister’s new tournament that also features esports.

Read on for more industry updates and insights. New reader? Sign up here. 

Nintendo’s lawsuit against Palworld developer Pocketpair, accusing the game of infringing on Pokémon’s iconic creature-catching mechanics, may appear as just another IP battle. But the dispute reveals something deeper: an industry giant’s unease. Palworld has attracted attention not just for its legal troubles, but for daring to do what Pokémon has failed to achieve in recent years—innovate.

Despite being a global phenomenon, the Pokémon series has struggled to evolve since making its debut on the Nintendo Switch. Fans have lamented the franchise’s lack of creativity, repetitive gameplay, and declining quality, with recent titles like Pokémon Sword and Shield and Pokémon Scarlet and Violet failing to capture the magic of the series’ earlier releases. Many point to rushed development cycles and over-reliance on nostalgia as key issues plaguing the franchise.

In contrast, Palworld blends monster-collecting with survival elements and resource management, introducing players to a grittier, open-world experience. Its unconventional mechanics and willingness to explore mature themes have made it a standout contender, raising the bar for what the genre can offer.

Our feature today dives into why Palworld poses a challenge to Pokémon’s dominance and outlines key lessons that Game Freak can take away to bring the beloved series back to its roots while pushing it forward. As Palworld forces Pokémon to confront its own shortcomings, this could be a pivotal moment for the franchise.

Google has been ordered to make sweeping changes to its mobile ecosystem in the U.S., including opening its Google Play marketplace to third-party app stores, following a landmark ruling by Judge James Donato in the Epic Games v. Google trial.

Starting November 1, 2024, Google must allow third-party app stores to be distributed through Google Play and grant them access to apps listed on the platform, unless developers opt out. For three years, Google will also be prohibited from mandating that developers use Google Play Billing, even for apps distributed on Play.

The court also banned Google from offering financial incentives or perks to developers for Play Store exclusivity or preinstalling Play on devices, and from preventing mobile carriers from pre-installing rival app stores. Additionally, developers can now inform users about alternative payment methods and options to download apps from outside Google Play.

The ruling, in part, addresses concerns raised by Epic Games, which sued Google last year, accusing it of anti-competitive practices. Google intends to appeal, arguing the ruling could harm consumers and developers.

The company has until mid-2025 to establish a technical committee to oversee the changes. Epic has filed a separate lawsuit against Google and Samsung, targeting the latter’s Auto Blocker feature as a barrier to app store competition.

We’re excited to announce an exclusive live webinar featuring Mayhem Studios' CEO Ojas Vipat, the visionary behind Underworld Gang Wars, a battle royale like no other—combining the thrills of a GTA-esque setting with the streets of Mumbai!

🗓 Date: 10th October 2024

🕒 Time: 2:30 - 3:30 PM IST

📍 Register Here

Why You Should Attend:

As India’s gaming industry continues to evolve, developers face unique creative challenges, especially when tackling crime-themed narratives like those in Underworld Gang Wars. How far can Indian studios push the envelope compared to global counterparts like Grand Theft Auto, known for its provocative content and sharp social commentary? Are there cultural or regulatory constraints that shape what can and cannot be depicted?

Join Ojas Vipat, founder of Mayhem Studios, as he discusses the delicate balance between innovation and responsibility in Indian game development. Gain insights into the creative decision-making processes and learn how Indian developers navigate complex themes while staying true to cultural sensibilities. This session will delve into the current landscape and potential growth opportunities within the sector, offering a rare glimpse into the future of gaming in India.

Tamil Nadu CM’s Trophy 2024 Adds Esports as Demo Event, Targets Grassroots Sports Talent

The Tamil Nadu Chief Minister’s Trophy 2024, organized by the state’s Sports Development Authority (SDAT), aims to identify and nurture grassroots sports talent with a ₹37 crore prize pool. The tournament, featuring athletics, football, volleyball, and kabaddi, introduces esports as a demo event for the first time. Potential esports titles include BGMI, Real Cricket, Pokemon Unite, and eBasketball, in association with the Basketball Federation of India. 

Saudi Arabia’s PIF Reduces Stake in Nintendo Amid Conflicting Investment Reports

Saudi Arabia’s Public Investment Fund (PIF) has lowered its stake in Nintendo from 8.58% to 7.54%, according to a Japanese regulatory filing reported by CNBC, contradicting recent speculation that the Fund would increase its holding. The PIF, which originally acquired a 5.01% stake in Nintendo in May 2022, remains one of the company’s largest shareholders. The filing comes shortly after an interview with Prince Faisal bin Bandar bin Sultan al-Saud, vice chairman of Savvy Games Group—owned by the PIF—who suggested that expanding investments in gaming firms “is always a possibility.” Nintendo shares hit record highs earlier this year amid anticipation of additional PIF investments and excitement over a potential Switch 2 launch.

Just months after 13-year-old Willis “Blue Scuti” Gibson became the first player to “beat” NES Tetris by crashing the game, 16-year-old Michael “dogplayingtetris” Artiaga reached an unprecedented milestone: the first-ever “rebirth” rollover. During a live Twitch session, Artiaga surpassed the game’s traditional Level 255, looping it back to the ultra-slow Level 0 after an 80-minute run and 3,300 cleared lines.

This record-breaking feat wasn’t easy. NES Tetris wasn’t designed for play beyond Level 29, where pieces drop so fast that controlling them becomes nearly impossible. Using a modified, crash-resistant version of the game, Artiaga pushed past Level 155, where most human players would encounter a memory overflow crash, and survived the grueling 810-line gauntlet of Level 235, a visually distorted stage known for its drab green color palette.

The achievement, marked by jubilation and exhaustion, saw Artiaga continue for another 40 minutes before finally stopping at 4,216 cleared lines and a record 29.4 million points. Despite a small asterisk due to the modified game, Artiaga’s “rebirth” run demonstrates the potential for human endurance and skill in pushing NES Tetris to its absolute limits. As the Tetris community speculates about the next challenge—a possible double-rebirth—the boundaries of classic Tetris have been irrevocably expanded.