Palworld Online Trademark Hints at Pocketpair’s Next Big Move
Pocketpair may be preparing something bigger for Palworld, and no, this is not just another random merch filing.
A new trademark for Palworld Online has appeared, giving fans fresh reason to speculate about where the monster-catching survival game is heading next. According to the US Patent and Trademark Office, Pocketpair filed the trademark on April 27, 2026, and its status is currently listed as live. The same name was also filed in South Korea on April 24, as spotted by Gematsu.
On paper, the filing covers the expected stuff: recorded computer game programs, recorded game software, and rental of video game software. Basically, the kind of legal umbrella you would expect if Pocketpair is protecting a game-related name.
But there are a few parts that make this more interesting than a simple name grab.
First, the filing includes toy design, which could point toward figures, collectibles, or other physical products. That fits with Pocketpair already pushing the Palworld brand beyond the original game, including its previously announced trading card game plans. For a title that started as “Pokemon with guns” in the public imagination, the company clearly seems keen to turn Palworld into a wider franchise.
There is also a mention of computer game cartridges. That naturally gets people thinking about Nintendo Switch-style releases, since cartridges are still strongly associated with Nintendo hardware. Whether that means anything practical is another question entirely, especially with Nintendo’s lawsuit against Pocketpair still ongoing. Palworld has already had to adjust some features because of that legal pressure, so a Nintendo platform release would be a pretty spicy development if it ever happened.
The biggest eyebrow-raiser, though, is buried under the AI-related part of the trademark. The filing references Artificial Intelligence as a Service featuring software that uses AI for developing computer games.
That sounds dramatic, but jangan panic dulu. Trademark language can be broad, and this does not automatically mean Pocketpair is using generative AI to create art, characters, or assets for Palworld Online. It could refer to AI systems for NPC behaviour, development tools, testing, or internal workflows. The filing alone does not confirm exactly how AI would be used.
Still, it is worth watching. AI in game development is becoming a major talking point, especially around art, writing, animation, and job security. PCGamesN notes that a report from Tokyo Game Show organiser CESA claimed 51% of Japanese developers are using AI technologies to streamline development and create in-game content. Pocketpair is based in Japan, so it is not surprising that AI tools may at least be on the company’s radar.
For Malaysian and SEA players, the more practical question is what Palworld Online actually becomes. If it is just branding for the game’s long-awaited 1.0 release, then this could be part of Pocketpair preparing for a bigger relaunch in 2026. If it is a separate online-focused project, then we need to start asking the real SEA gamer questions: will there be decent regional servers, fair pricing, proper co-op support, and content that does not feel built only for US or Japan players?
The name also gives off MMO vibes, since plenty of online worlds carry that same naming style. But Palworld already has a large open-world survival structure, so “Online” could simply mean a stronger multiplayer identity rather than a full MMORPG pivot.
For now, nothing is confirmed beyond the trademark filings. But between the Palworld TCG, possible toy plans, AI wording, and the 2026 1.0 target, Pocketpair clearly is not slowing down.
Source: PCGamesN
