Palworld: Redefining AAA Gaming Standards

Palworld's remarkable financial achievements have positioned developer Pocketpair to potentially aim for "beyond AAA" status with their next project. However, CEO Takuro Mizobe has shared a different vision for the studio's future. Dive deeper into his insights below.

Palworld Profits Could Make Pocketpair Go 'Beyond AAA' If They Wanted

Pocketpair Interested in Indie Games and Giving Back to Community

The creature-catch survival game Palworld has not only captured the hearts of gamers worldwide but also significantly boosted Pocketpair's financial standing. The game's sales have soared into the tens of billions of yen, translating to approximately 68.57 million USD. Despite this success, CEO Takuro Mizobe remains steadfast in his decision to steer clear of the "beyond AAA" route.

During an interview with GameSpark, Mizobe explained that while Palworld was developed using earnings from previous games like Craftopia and Overdungeon, the current massive profits present a different scenario. He stated, "If we were to develop our next game based on these proceeds, as we have done in the past, not only would the scale go beyond AAA, but we wouldn’t be able to keep up with this in terms of our organization’s maturity, or better put, we aren’t structured for something like that at all." Mizobe prefers to focus on projects that align with the "indie" ethos, finding them more intriguing and manageable.

Mizobe highlighted the challenges of AAA game development in today's market and praised the thriving indie scene, fueled by advanced game engines and favorable industry conditions. He credits much of Pocketpair's success to the indie community and expressed a desire to contribute back to it.

Palworld to Expand to 'Different Mediums'

Earlier this year, Mizobe reiterated Pocketpair's stance against expanding their team or moving to upscale offices. Instead, the focus is on diversifying the Palworld IP across various mediums.

Palworld, currently in its early access phase, has garnered widespread acclaim for its engaging gameplay and frequent updates. Notable recent additions include the PvP arena mode and the Sakurajima island in a major update. Furthermore, Pocketpair has launched Palworld Entertainment with Sony to manage global licensing and merchandising efforts related to Palworld, extending its reach beyond the gaming realm.