Nintendo Just Patented *This*? Gaming Will NEVER Be The Same!

Nintendo's New Patent: A Game Changer?

Nintendo has secured a U.S. patent that could significantly impact the gaming industry. Patent No. 12,403,397, granted on September 2nd, covers the core mechanic of summoning a character to fight another. While seemingly straightforward, this patent's broad scope raises concerns about its potential implications for numerous games beyond just the obvious contenders.

The patent, filed in March 2023, remarkably sailed through the U.S. Patent Office without any objections. This speed and lack of scrutiny have surprised many industry observers, given the potentially wide-reaching effects of the patent.

What Does This Mean for Game Developers?

This patent grants Nintendo ownership over a fundamental game mechanic present in countless titles. GamesFray highlights that the patent covers the summoning of a sub-character to a location where another character exists, and then instructing the summoned character to fight. This description applies to a vast range of games, potentially subjecting developers to legal challenges from Nintendo.

The timing of this patent is particularly noteworthy, given Nintendo's ongoing legal battle with Pocketpair, the developers of Palworld. While one patent related to "smooth switching of riding objects" has already been worked around by Pocketpair, this new patent poses a more significant threat due to its broader application.

Beyond Palworld: A Wider Impact?

While the Palworld situation brings the patent into sharp focus, the true impact could extend far beyond a single lawsuit. The patent's wording is broad enough to potentially encompass various games that feature character summoning and battling mechanics. This could lead to increased caution among developers and potentially stifle innovation in certain game genres.

The industry is watching closely to see how Nintendo will wield this new patent. Will it be used aggressively to pursue legal action against numerous developers, or will Nintendo adopt a more measured approach? The answer to this question will undoubtedly shape the future of game development.

• Patent No. 12,403,397 covers summoning a character to fight another.
• Patent was granted on September 2, 2025.
• The patent sailed through the U.S. Patent Office without objections.
• The patent's scope could impact many games beyond Palworld.