The PAL GUN
(Transcript of a Palworld weapon concept)
Preface
As of recently, the way that your Pals are summoned had been changed. While originally the Pal Sphere is aimed and thrown into an area to make the Pal appear, the newer method instead summons the Pal next to the tamer. More than likely this is meant to be a workaround summoning method due to a legal dispute with Pokemon, and it's currently unknown if this will be the default from this point forward.
Regardless, there are many people that dislike the alternative, as tossing the Pal Sphere helped the Pal focus attention on tasks or foes once it has been summoned. It's difficult to direct the Pal after immediate summoning, and having them appear a distance away from you can help with certain attack strategies which are currently not possible with the newer summoning method. I have thought about the situation, attempting to make an alternative method to summon Pals that would address some of the concerns.
While I'm no legal expert on such things, I wanted to at least offer some idea that could be a little more distinct...and perhaps a little more impactful.
The PAL GUN Aggressive Summoning Weapon
Crafted as a weapon, the Pal Gun basically takes the long-distance summoning of Pals and amps it up slightly. Selecting your desired Pal as usual, you aim the Pal Gun at a living target within its firing range, and if the reticle lights up, you fire the Pal Sphere at the target with great speed. The target will be stunned/ragdoll upon the impact, and the Pal you chose will appear near the target to further engage in battle. The target will be focused on the newly-summoned Pal, allowing you to make your next move separate from the confrontation.
The Pal Gun will function this way if: A. You currently have no Pal summoned B. The Pal you currently have selected is not the one you already have summoned (firing the Pal Gun will make your currently-summoned Pal disappear, so be very careful about that)
Aspects of the Pal Gun have some similarities to the Grapple Gun; it only functions as intended if it is fired at applicable living targets (humans and Pals), and has a recharge timer so the gun can't be fully abused, though upgrades could be possible that could shorten this recharge timer or increase the firing range, or both.
Details to Consider
The Pal Gun is intended primarily to be an alternative summoning method, being more aggressive and covering greater distances than the current default. But it may be possible to give it an alternative usage as a "ping" tool for your Pal. If your Pal is selected and summoned, the Pal Gun could possibly be used on targets from a distance, and "firing" at them will instruct the Pal to approach them and do whatever they need to. As a possible extension, the Pal Gun could recognize certain resources as targets (wood, stone, etc.) and direct the current Pal to cut or mine, etc.
The impact of the Pal Gun is mainly meant to stun on contact, with possible damage being a lower priority. (Admittedly part of the idea stems from certain tag-team fighting games, where your partner would enter the fray by dive-kicking into the opponent.) If damage is decided to be a more major factor, things to consider when deciding how much damage it would inflict would be either the type/size of Pal being fired or their current level, among other things.
One other thought would involve what could happen if aiming and firing the Pal Gun at your current Pal. For example, if you highlight a different Pal and fire at your current summoned one, it could just swap their places at that very spot. If your current Pal is the highlighted one, it may just call them back, or it could be a way to issue orders or even choices of attack to them.
Conclusion
The Pal Gun was primarily designed to address a new situation introduced in newer developments of Palworld's gameplay. With this alternative summoning method, it can allow certain abilities lost before to be possible once again, while offering a few new twists that can still make the tool useful and distinct. And with some potential secondary uses, it could even be considered a handy item to have even if the initial summoning method is brought back into the game.
