New Joint Venture Palworld Entertainment to Develop and Expand Palworld Franchise

Sony Music Entertainment Japan Inc. revealed the formation of Palworld Entertainment, a new joint venture in collaboration with its subsidiary Aniplex and game developer Pocketpair. This new venture is focused on expanding and developing the "Palworld" game, as well as extending the intellectual property’s reach through licensing and merchandising beyond the game itself.

The first merchandise from Palworld Entertainment will be showcased at Pocketpair’s booth during the bilibili World 2024 event in Shanghai on July 12. This marks a significant step in expanding the game’s presence and engaging with its growing fanbase.

Palworld, a multiplayer survival game, was released by Pocketpair on January 19 through Steam Early Access and quickly gained traction, reaching 25 million users within its first month. The game's distinctive feature is its "Pal" creatures, which have drawn comparisons to the Pokémon franchise due to their design similarities. Following its release, The Pokémon Company issued a statement indicating that it was investigating potential copyright infringement by an unnamed game developer, although no further actions or statements have been made since then.

The establishment of Palworld Entertainment signals a strategic move to not only enhance the game itself but also to explore various business opportunities related to the brand. By leveraging the expertise of Sony Music, Aniplex, and Pocketpair, the new venture aims to solidify Palworld’s position in the market and broaden its appeal through various licensing and merchandising initiatives.

As Palworld Entertainment rolls out its first wave of merchandise, fans and new audiences alike can look forward to seeing how this joint venture will shape the future of the Palworld universe.