When thinking of Palworld, the immediate association for many is "Pokemon with guns." This shorthand, popularized across the internet, played a significant role in the game's initial surge in popularity. Even we at IGN have used this phrase, reflecting the broader trend. The juxtaposition of two seemingly disparate concepts made it a convenient and catchy way to describe the game to newcomers.
However, according to John 'Bucky' Buckley, Pocketpair's communications director and publishing manager, the "Pokemon with guns" label was never the intended focus. Speaking at the Game Developers Conference, Buckley expressed that Pocketpair does not particularly love this moniker. He recounted the game's reveal at the Indie Live Expo in Japan in June 2021, where it received a warm reception. Yet, as Western media picked up on it, the game was quickly branded as a mix of a "certain franchise" and guns—a label that has persisted despite efforts to move away from it.
In a follow-up interview, Buckley clarified that Pokemon was never part of the original pitch for Palworld. While the development team includes fans of Pokemon, the game's concept was more aligned with ARK: Survival Evolved. Buckley highlighted their previous game, Craftopia, which drew inspiration from ARK, and explained that the goal was to expand on this, focusing on automation and giving each creature unique personalities and abilities. The initial trailer led to the "Pokemon with guns" label, which, while not welcomed, undeniably contributed to the game's success.
Buckley acknowledged the impact of the label, mentioning that Dave Oshry from New Blood Interactive even trademarked "Pokemonwithguns.com." Despite this, he emphasized that the game's actual gameplay is far from the simplified description. He hopes players will give Palworld a chance before forming opinions based solely on the catchy phrase.
Moreover, Buckley does not see Pokemon as a direct competitor to Palworld, citing different target audiences and drawing closer parallels with ARK. He also dismissed the notion of competition in the gaming industry as largely manufactured, suggesting that the real challenge lies in timing releases rather than competing with specific games. Even the success of Helldivers 2, which many Palworld players also purchased, did not feel like direct competition to him.
If Buckley could choose a different viral tagline, he suggested something like, "Palworld: It's Kind of Like ARK if ARK Met Factorio and Happy Tree Friends." While acknowledging that it doesn't roll off the tongue as easily, he believes it better captures the essence of the game.
In our extended interview, Buckley and I also discussed the potential for Palworld on the Nintendo Switch 2, the possibility of Pocketpair being acquired, and more. You can delve into the full conversation here.
