Is Palworld an AI-Generated Work? | After 'Copycat Detection,' 'AI Detection' Has Become a New Trend
Debunks claims that Palworld's creature designs were AI-generated by examining the game development timeline against AI tool availability, revealing how internet hearsay fueled an 'AI detection' panic that replaced evidence-based criticism.
Recently, a PC game has taken the world by storm.
That’s right—Palworld.
Five and a half days after release, it sold 8 million copies on Steam alone
Currently holding the top spot on both the Steam bestseller and most-played charts:
And user ratings are “Very Positive (94%)”:
Palworld is a “mashup” combining elements from ARK, Pokémon, and other games. The gameplay roughly involves:
Using a device called a “Pal Sphere” to collect “Pal” creatures scattered around the world, building production lines by (laboring) them, and using them to fight together and challenge the tower bosses in the game.
However, because the art style of “Pals” is too close to the famous IP “Pokémon,” and the developer’s CEO had previously expressed strong praise for AI technology, heated discussions erupted about whether all of Palworld’s “Pals” were AI-generated. Many peers have also published articles discussing Pals and AI.
But many of these discussions are rather “superficial.”
The author also purchased the game and, with strong support from friends, even set up a server.
After experiencing the game for several days, the author wants to share some different thoughts based on personal knowledge of AI technology and actual gameplay experience.
*This article represents only the author’s personal views and is not intended as legal advice or opinion.
I. The AI Storm
The “Pals” in Palworld are not only very similar in concept to “Pokémon”—also captured using a spherical device—but more importantly, their designs also give a strong sense of déjà vu:
The following images and category subtitles are from: https://www.3dmgame.com/news/202401/3887109.html
Not representative of the author’s opinion
【Reasonable Reference】
【Excessive Reference】
【Striking Similarity】
【Twins】
Because the “déjà vu” was too strong, netizens began digging into information about Palworld. After a round of speculation, they concluded that the game was an “AI-plagiarized” work.
The AI storm around Palworld mainly originated from two points:
A Miraculous Fresh Female Graduate
Pocketpair, Inc., the developer of Palworld, published a blog about “6 miracles” during game development on January 16:
Among them, Miracle 5 (many reports incorrectly used the image for Miracle 3!) read:
Simply translated:
First, her drawing speed is astonishing. She is one of the fastest people I have ever seen. She might be 4 or 5 times faster than others.
Second, she is also very fast with feedback and revisions. Give her proper instructions, and she can make adjustments within a minute.
Moreover, she has no resistance to English. She also understands overseas trends and is sensitive to internet memes.
She is truly the perfect person for our company.
It’s no exaggeration to say that because of her, we were able to complete the design of 100 Pals. Without her, we don’t know what we would have done.
Netizens believe this genius girl is too “miraculous,” assuming she was the main AI user, and it was with AI’s help that she could design so many characters so efficiently.
Pocketpair, Inc. CEO Repeatedly Praised AI Technology
Takuro Mizobe, CEO of Pocketpair, Inc., has posted about AI-related topics multiple times on his X (Twitter) account:
Of course, even more “conclusive” was his post marveling at AI-generated Pokémon-related content:
Combining these two points, a voice gradually emerged online:
Palworld’s “Pals” were all “stitched together” by a fresh graduate + AI.
This voice exists both domestically and internationally:
Especially after The Pokémon Company (the owner of the Pokémon IP, not Nintendo itself) released an open letter:
Simple translation:
We have received many inquiries from customers regarding the similarity between a game released by another company in January 2024 and Pokémon. We have not granted any license for the use of Pokémon intellectual property in that game.
Furthermore, we will investigate and take appropriate measures regarding any infringement of Pokémon intellectual property rights.
We will continue to cherish and nurture each and every Pokémon, protect and develop this world, and work to connect the world through Pokémon.
The Pokémon Company
Amid various rumors, this became “Nintendo believes this game is infringing and has begun investigation.”
This led many articles to begin analyzing various aspects of AI painting infringement, copyright determination, and global attitudes toward AI based on this “argument.”
Wait a minute
How did everyone start “determining” this
Are these “Pals” really AI-generated?
II. A Classic Case of “Hearsay”?
Looking at the above, it’s not hard to see how the internet “hearsay” combined with “imagination” to form its own conclusions.
【About the Genius Girl】
Original:
The CEO marveled that he had a genius post-00s fresh female graduate whose “work efficiency is several times that of others,” who really understands memes, and they almost missed out on her.
After not understanding Japanese, hearing rumors + imagination:
The genius girl single-handedly created all 100+ Pals.
Then showing the wrong image:
(Miracle 3 actually says there are 100+ Pals, but the company had no one with animation experience, relying entirely on a veteran in the industry)
Reality:
Clicking the “Credit” button in the game opens a staff webpage that clearly shows how many people were in the character design group:
https://www.pocketpair.jp/palworld/palworld-credit
Any industry professional would see this as a very common staffing level.
As for the CEO, he himself couldn’t understand why praising his post-00s employee led to her being harassed and even receiving death threats:
Moreover, there aren’t actually 100+ unique Pals—many are just palette swaps of the same model:
【About AI Technology】
Original:
The CEO, like other internet surfers, tried out AI during its rapid development and expressed amazement, while also praising GPT, GitHub Copilot, Stable Diffusion, etc.
After not understanding Japanese + not understanding AI drawing principles + imagination:
The CEO integrated AI into the workflow and produced all of Palworld’s content, importing Pokémon asset libraries into AI to generate “corpse parts” to piece together new models.
Reality:
The most usable, workflow-integrable, and easily trainable option—Stable Diffusion—had its 1.5 version leaked, forcing open-source around October 2022.
The earliest Palworld PV traceable is from January 21, 2022:
Videos posted by the CEO himself are from January and February 2021:
Many Pals considered “AI-stitched” were already present in these videos.
The “genius girl” joined after February 2021:
Before the “genius girl” joined, some Pals considered “AI-stitched” already existed;
After the “genius girl” joined, there was still 1 year and 8 months before easy-to-use, familiar AI drawing tools were actually deployable.
Unless the Japanese CEO really had this:
Furthermore, the CEO’s sharing of “workflow integration” was more about code (like GitHub Copilot) and copywriting (like loading Claude AI in Slack).
There was nothing about art.
And AI-generated code and copywriting are already widely used in a huge number of companies (whether game companies or not).
【About the “Strongest Legal Department Warning”】
Original:
The Pokémon Company saw the heated online discussions, even people sending apology letters to Nintendo.
Following business convention, The Pokémon Company issued a statement saying “no license granted” and reassuringly stated they “will investigate whether there is infringement.”
After not understanding Japanese + not distinguishing corporate entities + imagination:
“The strongest legal department in the Eastern Hemisphere swings into action!”
Reality:
The Pokémon IP is actually held by The Pokémon Company (TPC).
Although this company is jointly funded by Nintendo, Game Freak, and Creatures, it cannot simply be called a “Nintendo” company. Nintendo is responsible for game operations and promotion, while the game developer is Game Freak.
If legal action were truly triggered, it would be Game Freak or TPC’s legal department.
Moreover, the full announcement never conclusively stated there was infringement.
Unless TPC or GF files a lawsuit and wins a judgment, no one can claim Palworld plagiarized.
However, there might be a dilemma:
【If determined as AI】
Based on current Japanese official attitudes, if AI was actually used, it might not necessarily constitute infringement.
【If determined as plagiarism】
That would require more evidence, proving either that Pokémon game models were decompiled or that existing Pokémon designs were copied.
But looking at the existing Pals, it’s hard to say any truly reach the “plagiarism” level.
At most, it could be considered similar “art style.”
And art style is not protected content.
III. The “AI Detection” Trend After “Copycat Detection”
Since AI drawing became accessible to the general public, many people have started posting “anti-AI” declarations online.
Oppose all AI drawing technology
Oppose all training of drawing models
Oppose all AI-generated images
Even now, for every new game released, many people take out their “magnifying glasses” to scrutinize images, character art, and CG for any “disharmonies.”
Once they find a drawing error similar to AI-generated images, they declare it an “AI work” or “corpse part work.”
Calling for everyone to boycott and oppose it.
Previously it was “copycat detection” Now it’s “AI detection”
Or sometimes both together.
The world’s “protective attitude” toward intellectual property
Has become particularly “prominent” in AI drawing.
The author has even seen someone point out the release date of Stable Diffusion And people still “stubbornly” claim that industry insiders would get the software earlier than everyone else
This shows this “prominence” has reached a point of being “unreasonable”
The author believes that whether supporting or opposing AI technology is a personal right.
Designers have the right to prohibit others from using their works for training
But they do not have the right to restrict others from using AI technology to assist their work
But in reality, many people directly express opposition without even understanding the basic principles of AI.
The most memorable are the “corpse part theory” and “stitching theory”
Both believe that so-called AI painting involves breaking creators’ works into parts
Then when generating, randomly selecting content from the database to piece together new works
When someone pointed out the similarity between parts of Palworld’s Pals and various Pokémon designs
It naturally raised suspicions of being AI “stitching” results
As we’ve analyzed before
Currently, most usable AI drawing software has little to do with “stitching.”
If I had to use an existing concept, I would say it’s
“Molecular gastronomy”
Completely pulverizing existing images (ingredients), learning the pixel (molecular) patterns, then recombining them into a brand new image (dish).
At this level, it’s hard to say the new content has anything to do with the source material
Interested readers can check this article; I won’t repeat it here:
As for Palworld’s “déjà vu,” my first reaction would be decompilation or plagiarism, which is also the most common “method of plagiarism.”
【Game Law Knowledge】Is It Legal to Use Asset Studio for Decompilation?
I never considered the possibility of “AI creation,” so when I saw everyone excitedly discussing the “first AI game,” I found it hard to understand.
After all, understanding the limitations of current AI technology reveals that AI can currently handle 2D images decently, but for 3D models—aside from the concept art stage—texturing, modeling, animation, etc., all require human effort.
And many current one-click 3D model generation AI tools are far from “usable.”
As for many people thinking AI can directly insert Pokémon artwork or models,
One step to build the model and generate a Pal
That’s currently “wishful thinking”
The author suddenly thought of a meme:
But maybe this could be an approach in the future?
If accused of decompilation and plagiarism, just claim you used AI.
IV. Conclusion
Palworld has been mired in controversy, but it hasn’t stopped it from ranking first in both sales and playtime.
Based on the author’s experience, Pal designs can only be said to have a similar style to Pokémon—it’s hard to directly call it plagiarism.
It inherits the style of Pokémon, but looking closely, each Pal is different from existing Pokémon.
It’s more like “new Pokémon”
And creating a “new Pokémon” is not restricted by law (unless claiming it’s part of Pokémon), so even if the style gives “déjà vu,” it doesn’t constitute infringement.
After all, which Pokémon player hasn’t designed their own Pokémon?
(From video https://www.bilibili.com/video/BV1xg411776h/, creator Eternalstar)
Unless further evidence emerges, such as Pals directly using or piecing together models from Pokémon works.
But currently, there are only some “forced” comparison animations akin to Photoshop overlay, which can hardly be considered “proof”:
(From X user @byofrog)
But what concerns the author more is
The growing trend of the internet no longer seeking truth
Even spreading to the legal community
Many peers, based on various online rumors, start analyzing without verification
Truly puzzling
AI is a hot topic
But we also need to be realistic
And try to understand new things
Rather than simply believing hearsay
At least the author actually set up a server
