Abstract:
Pocketpair CEO Takuro Mizobe recently stated in an interview with VGC that if there is an opportunity to discuss with Nintendo in the future that "Phantom Pallu" will be launched on the Switch platform, the studio "will be happy to have such a conversation." He said that Switch 2 is not only an important platform for the global game market, but also of great significance to the Japanese game industry. However, Pocketpair has not yet announced the development of a Switch 2 version, nor has it confirmed that the two parties have begun relevant negotiations.
This statement comes as Pocketpair is still in patent litigation with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company. Nintendo and The Pokémon Company sued Pocketpair in the Tokyo District Court in September 2024, accusing "Pokémon Pal" of infringing on multiple patents and seeking an injunction and damages. VGC stated that the scope of the lawsuit was adjusted in November 2025 and shifted to target earlier versions of the game; Pocketpair had previously removed some of the disputed mechanisms, including throwing a palu ball to summon palu and using palu to glide. The case is still under trial, and the Tokyo District Court is expected to announce its preliminary opinion on November 9. Mizobe said he could not comment on the case itself because the litigation has not yet concluded.
Talking about the game itself, Mizobe said that the development of "Craftopia" continued the survival, production and automation gameplay of Pocketpair's previous game "Craftopia". The team initially presented a darker setting in the trailer. As early access and subsequent development progressed, the studio gradually shifted its focus to the relaxed content of living with Palu based on player feedback, reducing the "sweatshop" image in early publicity.
Pocketpair hopes to continue to expand "Phantom Parlu", but it does not plan to invest all its resources in this game, nor does it necessarily want to make it an ongoing service. Mizobe said that the studio is looking for a continuation method that is more suitable for players, and hopes to continue to try different gameplay combinations, not only to develop experimental new works, but also to allow "Eidolon Parlu" to reach a wider audience.
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