Pickmon under fire for allegedly stealing fan art for creature designs

Pickmon under fire for allegedly stealing fan art for creature designs

Less than a week after its official announcement, the open-world monster collector Pickmon is embroiled in a major plagiarism scandal. Developed by PocketGame, the title initially drew comparisons to Pokémon and Palworld due to its creature-capturing and industrial automation mechanics. However, the conversation has shifted from gameplay inspiration to outright theft. Prominent industry figures and artists have pointed out that several creatures in the game’s promotional materials appear to be direct copies of existing fan art and official Nintendo designs.

“Mega Meganium” fan art spotted in promotional assets

The controversy gained massive traction after RJ Palmer, a well-known concept artist, shared a comparison on social media. He highlighted a Pickmon creature that bears a shocking resemblance to a “Mega Meganium” concept created by artist el.psy.fake. The design features identical oversized yellow antennae, a pink-and-yellow floral mane that functions like wings, and a specific white chest plate. This design appears prominently on the Pickmon Steam store page. Fans argue that the level of detail—from the color palette to the specific structural silhouettes—is far too similar to be a mere coincidence.

Similarities to Ceruledge and Nintendo patents

In addition to the fan art allegations, players have identified another creature that looks remarkably like the Pokémon Ceruledge. This Pickmon shares the same humanoid knight-like frame, blue flame-like head features, and dual blade-arms. While the leg armor has been changed to white, the overall aesthetic remains virtually indistinguishable from the official Nintendo character. Furthermore, legal experts are already discussing whether Pickmon’s creature-capturing mechanics might infringe on the “capture-and-battle” patents recently secured by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company.

The growing list of concerns regarding Pickmon includes:

• Direct Design Theft: Allegations that specific fan-made Pokémon evolutions were used without permission.
• Asset Repurposing: Claims that the game uses silhouettes and color schemes identical to official Pokémon like Ceruledge.
• Patent Infringement: Potential legal issues regarding the mechanics of throwing items to capture creatures in an open-world setting.
• Community Backlash: Thousands of fans have called for the game to be removed from Steam until the developers address the source of their assets.

PocketGame has yet to release an official statement regarding these accusations. However, history shows that companies like Nintendo and The Pokémon Company are highly protective of their intellectual property. If these plagiarism claims are proven true, Pickmon could face significant legal challenges or a permanent delisting before it ever reaches its 2027 release date. For now, the gaming community remains skeptical as more “copied” designs continue to surface online.