Palworld Developers Reject 'Pokemon With Guns' Label

When you think of Palworld, the immediate association for many is "Pokemon with guns," a phrase that has both propelled its popularity and become a point of contention for its creators. This shorthand, used widely across the internet and even by outlets like IGN, helped the game gain traction due to the intriguing blend of two seemingly disparate concepts. However, Pocketpair's communications director and publishing manager, John 'Bucky' Buckley, has expressed that this label was never the intended focus of the game.

In a talk at the Game Developers Conference, Buckley recounted the game's initial reveal at the Indie Live Expo in Japan in June 2021. The game received a warm reception from the Japanese audience, but it was the Western media that quickly branded it as "Pokemon with guns." Despite efforts to distance the game from this moniker, it has persisted.

In a subsequent interview, Buckley clarified that Pokemon was not part of the original pitch for Palworld. Instead, the development team, composed of fans of both Pokemon and ARK: Survival Evolved, drew more inspiration from the latter. The goal was to create a game similar to ARK but with a stronger emphasis on automation and unique creature abilities. Buckley noted that while the "Pokemon with guns" label did contribute to the game's success, it misrepresents the actual gameplay experience.

Buckley also dismissed the notion that Palworld directly competes with Pokemon, suggesting that the audiences for the two games do not significantly overlap. He views ARK as a closer comparison and believes that the concept of competition in gaming is often exaggerated for marketing purposes. Instead, he sees the timing of game releases as a more significant factor.

If Buckley could choose a different viral tagline for Palworld, he humorously suggested, "Palworld: It's Kind of Like ARK if ARK Met Factorio and Happy Tree Friends." While acknowledging that this doesn't have the same catchy appeal as "Pokemon with guns," it more accurately reflects the game's intended identity.

In our full interview, Buckley also touched on the potential for Palworld to come to the Nintendo Switch 2, the possibility of Pocketpair being acquired, and more. You can read the complete discussion for further insights into the game's development and future plans.