I don't think they are hiding it because they look too much like Pokemon, plenty of them are clearly parodies or inspired by, and despite what they and the fanbase might want to believe- Nintendo/Gamefreak/Pokemon doesn't have monopolistic rights over all fantasy creatures.. Digimon proved this long ago. If they did have the right, they would've already made or been compiling a legal case against it for a while now, and they likely don't want the bad PR that would come along with such an outlandish claim. That would just be the last nail in the coffin for a stagnating series like their games.
The Palworld devs at Pocketpair are likely are saving it for later due to unsolved programming kinks- for a content update, or possibly an eventual DLC for another spurt of profits, if other development decisions in modern games are anything to go by. Hopefully this Mewtwo-ish and ones like the Luxray looking one Ravenfreak mentioned that have already been teased at some point- will be introduced as a free content update [like cult of them lambs did recently with their sins of the flesh update], which is generally much more positively recived than a DLC/season pass.
If they are smart and fanbase oriented that will be the case, because taking core content and holding it ransom for release at a later date is a toxic profiteering practice that needs to die and possibly be made illegal, as it's one of the best ways to piss off a userbase and permanently lose repeat customers. It's less likely as this is early acess, [and IMO early acess games should be barred from releasing season passes/DLC by design, until they are no longer early access] but I personally would never buy into it if they went about it that way regardless, especially since it was datamined from the original release so it was clearly not something they made after the fact for a DLC.
When I expect things to have multiple content releases I usually just wait for a sale to get all the extras for the price it should've been, or go for a GOTY edition well after release that comes with all or most of the stuff. Just the way I am, as I have very little income and am frugal. Because I want completed games without bugs and missing chunks, not piecemealed content draining my wallet and limited time/ monetary resources.
On a slightly unrelated sidenote.. Demo culture needs a resurgence too if you ask me, because having no choice but to resort to piracy to try things on your hardware setup before you buy is horrible, and the upright paying users are the ones suffering due to DRM practices and related problems, not the pirates who just root it out like the tumor it is...
But, i actually love the concept of pokemon and this is such a refreshing well made take on that. Hope it will survive whats about to come.
