Pokémon Rip-Off Officially Removed from Steam After Controversy

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Pickmos, a game similar to Palworld and Pokémon originally called Pickmon, has been removed from sale. Developers are making significant changes after concerns were raised about allegedly copied artwork.

Following the game’s removal from Steam, its publisher, Networkgo, explained the decision on X (formerly Twitter). They stated they had stepped in to oversee the game’s development, intending to guide the team based on player feedback and improve the game. Addressing claims of unauthorized artwork usage, Networkgo clarified that they were investigating the situation as an editor from the publishing company.

Pickmos/Pickmon Is No Longer on Steam

We’re updating the game to avoid any potential issues. It will be available again once our publisher officially approves the changes, according to a recent post.

I was so excited when I first heard about this game, originally called Pickmon! But then, just last week, they announced they were changing the name to Pickmos. They said it was to fit the game’s story and overall style better, but honestly, a lot of fans think the original name sounded a little too close to another popular title. It’s a bit of a mystery, but I’m still really looking forward to playing it!

From the start, we’ve been committed to creating a rich and immersive ecological world. To better reflect our brand and the story we’re telling, we’re officially changing our game’s title from Pickmon to Pickmos. ‘Mos’ represents a complete ecosystem – a vast cosmos! We believe this new name is more impactful and will better showcase the world we’re building for our players, according to PocketGame.

Pickmos Was Slapped With Art Theft Accusations

Pickmos is a survival crafting game where players can catch creatures, and some of these creatures bear a striking resemblance to Pokémon. Artists have also publicly accused the game’s developers of using artwork they originally created without permission.

An artist recently claimed that the new game Pickmon appears to have copied designs not only from established franchises like Pokémon, but also from their own work. The artist stated that the copied design was used without any noticeable alterations, making the plagiarism obvious.

It’s surprising Nintendo hasn’t stepped in more directly. The company is currently in a legal dispute with Palworld developer Pocketpair, claiming the game copies patented gameplay features, like capturing creatures by throwing items. Pocketpair counters that these mechanics were used in games before Nintendo’s patents were filed. The case is ongoing in Japanese court, and the final outcome is still uncertain.

It’s currently unknown when Pickmos will return to Steam, and there’s no estimated release date available.

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2026-04-18 02:03