Palworld's Unexpected Path: Beyond AAA, or Beyond Expectations?

Pocketpair, the developer behind the wildly successful Palworld, has amassed significant profits, potentially enabling them to create a game exceeding AAA standards. However, CEO Takuro Mizobe has revealed a different strategic direction.

The Indie Spirit Prevails

Palworld's revenue is in the "tens of billions of yen" (tens of millions of USD), yet Mizobe emphasizes Pocketpair's unsuitability for managing a project of that scale. He explains that Palworld's development leveraged profits from previous titles, Craftopia and Overdungeon. Despite the current financial windfall, he believes scaling to a "beyond AAA" level would outpace the company's organizational maturity.

Mizobe explicitly states a preference for "interesting indie games" over large-budget projects, believing the current indie game environment, with improved engines and market conditions, allows for global success without massive teams. He credits the indie community for Pocketpair's growth and expresses a commitment to giving back.

Expanding the Palworld Universe

Mizobe previously stated that Pocketpair won't expand its team or upgrade its offices, prioritizing instead the diversification of the Palworld IP across various media. Palworld, currently in early access, continues to receive significant updates, including a PvP arena and a new island in the recent Sakurajima update. Furthermore, the newly formed Palworld Entertainment, a collaboration with Sony, will manage global licensing and merchandising. This strategic focus on IP expansion showcases a long-term vision beyond immediate financial gains.