Palworld Devs Reject 'Pokemon With Guns' Label

When you think of Palworld, the immediate association for many is "Pokemon with guns," a phrase that surged to prominence when the game first gained traction. This catchy, if somewhat reductive, label helped propel Palworld into the spotlight, capturing the imagination of gamers with its unique blend of familiar and novel concepts. Even we at IGN have used the term, as have countless others across the internet, to quickly convey the game's essence to newcomers.

However, John 'Bucky' Buckley, Pocketpair's communications director and publishing manager, has expressed that the team never intended for "Pokemon with guns" to define their game. During a talk at the Game Developers Conference, Buckley shared that the game was first revealed in June 2021 at the Indie Live Expo in Japan, where it received a warm reception. But as Western media caught on, the game was quickly tagged with the "Pokemon with guns" moniker—a label that has persisted despite efforts to move beyond it.

In a follow-up interview, Buckley elaborated that the inspiration for Palworld was more aligned with ARK: Survival Evolved than Pokemon. He noted that the development team, many of whom are fans of ARK, aimed to expand on the survival and automation elements of that game, infusing it with creatures that have distinct personalities and abilities. The initial pitch was about creating a game that combined the survival elements of ARK with a deeper focus on automation and unique creatures, not about mimicking Pokemon.

Buckley acknowledges that the "Pokemon with guns" label did contribute to Palworld's success, even mentioning how Dave Oshry from New Blood Interactive trademarked 'Pokemonwithguns.com' in response to the game's viral spread. However, he expressed a desire for players to experience the game firsthand before labeling it, as the actual gameplay diverges significantly from the simplified tagline.

Despite the association with Pokemon, Buckley believes the audiences for the two games don't significantly overlap, viewing ARK as a closer comparator. He also dismisses the notion of direct competition in the gaming industry, suggesting that the idea of "console wars" is more about marketing than real competition. Instead, he sees the challenge as more about timing and the vast array of games available to players.

If Buckley could choose a different viral tagline, he humorously suggested, "Palworld: It's Kind of Like ARK if ARK Met Factorio and Happy Tree Friends." While not as catchy as "Pokemon with guns," it more accurately reflects the game's unique blend of survival, automation, and quirky charm.

In our broader discussion, Buckley also touched on the potential for Palworld on the Nintendo Switch 2, the possibility of Pocketpair being acquired, and other topics. You can delve into the full interview for more insights into the world of Palworld and its future.