Understanding Nintendo’s mounting patent controversy and its potential impact on Honkai: Nexus Anima
The Legal Battlefield: Nintendo vs. Gaming Industry
Legal analysts are raising alarms that HoYoverse’s upcoming title Honkai: Nexus Anima may face similar patent infringement claims that Nintendo leveraged against Palworld developer Pocketpair. This situation highlights how broadly-interpreted patents can impact multiple games across the industry.
The controversy began when Nintendo and The Pokemon Company initiated legal proceedings against Pocketpair in September 2024, alleging multiple patent violations in Palworld. Among the contested elements were the Pal Spheres, which Nintendo claimed bore too much resemblance to their iconic Poke Balls, ultimately leading to their removal from the game.
A central component of the legal dispute revolves around the “mounting of flying objects” mechanism. Initially, Nintendo’s patent covered the ability to “smoothly switch” between different rideable creatures. However, during active litigation, Nintendo broadened this patent’s scope to encompass nearly any scenario where players summon and ride flying mounts.
This strategic patent expansion during ongoing legal proceedings demonstrates how companies can adapt intellectual property claims to target emerging competition. The timing of these amendments suggests a deliberate effort to strengthen Nintendo’s legal position against multiple developers.
Honkai: Nexus Anima Enters the Crosshairs
HoYoverse’s latest project now faces scrutiny under Nintendo’s expanded patent framework. The mounting mechanics demonstrated in Honkai: Nexus Anima’s initial footage appear to fall within the broadened scope of Nintendo’s flying object patent.
On August 29, HoYoverse—creators of Genshin Impact and Honkai: Star Rail—unveiled the first gameplay footage of Honkai: Nexus Anima. Legal specialist Florian Mueller of Games Fray immediately identified potential patent conflicts, noting that the mount system showcased in the preview technically violates Nintendo’s amended patent.
“Chinese game developer HoYoverse showcased gameplay footage of their upcoming title Honkai: Nexus Anima that appears to violate the revised iteration of Nintendo’s smooth-transition-between-rideable-objects patent,” Mueller stated in his analysis.
In-game footage from Honkai: Nexus Anima
*The game is under development, and subject to change.
*This Nexus Bond Test is available in 5 languages: Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, English, Japanese, and Korean. Support for more languages will be added in the future.… pic.twitter.com/gayxpcVOYV
The timing of this revelation creates additional complications for HoYoverse, as the company must now consider potential redesigns or legal challenges while the game remains in development. Early identification of these issues provides some advantage compared to Palworld’s post-release legal troubles.
Patent Overreach and Industry Implications
Mueller contends that Nintendo’s patent claims have expanded to unreasonable proportions, creating what he describes as “a heightened risk for the entire gaming sector.” The amended patent’s breadth threatens to restrict fundamental game design elements common across many titles.
“A key takeaway from HoYoverse’s preview is that Nintendo’s modified patent extends beyond reasonable boundaries. It essentially patents the basic action of calling forth a flying entity and riding it,” Mueller elaborated. “This fundamental mechanic is so commonplace that restricting other developers from implementing similar systems seems unjustifiable.”
The ongoing Palworld litigation remains unresolved, leaving uncertainty about whether Nintendo can legally compel developers to remove mount systems from their games. This uncertainty affects not only current defendants but also future developers considering similar mechanics.
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For comprehensive coverage of all recent developments, consult our complete timeline of the Palworld and Nintendo legal dispute.
Practical Guide for Game Developers
Game developers facing similar patent concerns should implement proactive strategies to mitigate legal risks while maintaining creative freedom in their game designs.
Conduct Early Patent Research: Before implementing common mechanics like mount systems, research existing patents and their current legal status. The Nintendo case demonstrates how patents can be amended during litigation.
Document Design Differences: Maintain detailed records showing how your implementation differs from patented systems. Even subtle variations in animation, summoning mechanics, or transition sequences can provide legal defense.
Consult Specialized Legal Counsel: Engage attorneys with specific expertise in gaming intellectual property early in development. They can identify potential conflicts before significant resources are invested.
Consider Alternative Mechanics: Develop backup systems that achieve similar gameplay goals through different technical implementations. This provides flexibility if legal challenges arise.
Monitor Ongoing Litigation: Stay informed about active patent cases in the gaming industry, as outcomes can establish important precedents affecting your own projects.
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