Palworld Devs Reject 'Pokemon With Guns' Label

When thinking of Palworld, the phrase "Pokemon with guns" often comes to mind first, a label that has stuck since the game's initial surge in popularity. This shorthand, used widely across the internet, including by us at IGN, helped catapult Palworld into the spotlight by blending the unexpected concepts of creature collection and weaponry. However, according to Pocketpair's communications director and publishing manager, John 'Bucky' Buckley, this was never the intended focus for the game. Speaking at the Game Developers Conference, Buckley expressed that the team at Pocketpair isn't thrilled with the moniker.

Buckley shared that Palworld was first showcased at the Indie Live Expo in Japan in June 2021, receiving a warm reception from the local audience. However, the game quickly caught the attention of Western media, who promptly labeled it as a combination of a "certain franchise" with guns. Despite efforts to move away from this tag, it has remained a defining aspect of Palworld's public image.

In a follow-up interview, Buckley clarified that the inspiration for Palworld was more aligned with ARK: Survival Evolved than Pokemon. The development team, comprised of ARK enthusiasts, aimed to expand on the concepts introduced in their previous game, Craftopia. The goal was to create a game where creatures, akin to dinosaurs in ARK, had distinct personalities and abilities, enhancing the automation and uniqueness of each creature. Buckley emphasized that the "Pokemon with guns" label, while helpful in boosting the game's visibility, does not accurately reflect the gameplay experience.

Buckley acknowledged the role the label played in Palworld's success but expressed frustration over misconceptions it has caused. He noted that while the phrase might have been catchy, it does not represent the actual gameplay, urging players to experience the game for themselves before forming judgments. He also pointed out that the overlap between Pokemon and Palworld audiences is minimal, with ARK being a closer comparison. Buckley dismissed the notion of direct competition in the gaming industry, suggesting that games compete more with release timing than with each other.

If given the chance, Buckley would have preferred a different tagline for Palworld, suggesting something like "Palworld: It's Kind of Like ARK if ARK Met Factorio and Happy Tree Friends." He admits this alternative doesn't have the same catchy appeal but better reflects the game's true nature.

In our interview, Buckley and I also discussed potential future developments, including the possibility of Palworld coming to the Nintendo Switch 2 and Pocketpair's stance on acquisitions. For a deeper dive into these topics, you can read the full discussion here.