The Success of Palworld
Palworld, developed by Pocketpair, achieved remarkable success with its unique survival-meets-Pokémon concept. This innovative blend catapulted the game to great heights, generating revenue in the tens of billions of yen, equivalent to around $70 million. This success placed Pocketpair in a position where developing a AAA scale game seemed feasible.
Pocketpair’s Indie Focus
Despite the substantial financial gains, Pocketpair’s CEO, Takuro Mizobe, has expressed a preference for creating games with a smaller scope. In an interview with Game Spark, Mizobe emphasized that the company’s structure isn’t equipped for AAA projects. Instead, he is interested in developing games that maintain the intrigue and creativity typical of indie games. Mizobe highlighted that there are no large-budget games he wishes to pursue, stressing his commitment to indie game development.
Supporting the Indie Game Sector
Last month, in an interview with YouTube channel Going Indie, Palworld’s community manager, John “Bucky” Buckley, echoed Mizobe’s sentiments. He encouraged gamers to invest in indie titles, advocating for the sector’s growth alongside that of AAA live service games. While Pocketpair continues to support Palworld through regular updates since its early access release, the studio is not committed to indefinite support.
Looking Ahead
With the formation of Palworld Entertainment in collaboration with Sony, Pocketpair aims to handle the global licensing and merchandising for Palworld. This initiative ensures that Palworld’s success continues to benefit the studio. However, Mizobe’s inclination towards indie game projects marks a deviation from the typical industry trajectory of expanding into larger, more ambitious projects. This unique stance reflects a desire to prioritize creativity and manageable risk over size and budget.
