If you think of Palworld, it’s hard not to immediately associate it with the phrase “Pokémon with guns.” This comparison became widespread almost instantly after the game gained traction, largely due to its unique blend of two distinct concepts. While this description helped the game gain visibility early on, it wasn’t the intention behind its creation. During a talk at the Game Developers Conference, John ‘Bucky’ Buckley, Pocketpair’s communications director, explained that the developers aimed to create something closer to ARK: Survival Evolved rather than a Pokémon clone.

“‘Pokémon with guns’ wasn’t part of the original pitch,” Buckley admitted. “While many of us are fans of Pokémon, the core inspiration was ARK, with its emphasis on survival and exploration. We wanted to build on that foundation by adding more personality and unique abilities to each creature, making every interaction feel special.”

Despite their reservations about the nickname, Buckley acknowledges that it played a role in the game’s success. “The label certainly helped bring attention to Palworld, especially during its early days,” he said. “It gave people a quick way to understand what the game was about, even if it wasn’t entirely accurate.”

However, Buckley insists that the comparison doesn’t reflect the actual gameplay experience. “While it’s fine for people to refer to it that way after playing, we’d prefer if everyone gave the game a chance first. The truth is, Palworld offers so much more than just a mashup of Pokémon and firearms.”

When asked about competition within the gaming industry, Buckley dismissed the idea of direct rivalry between Palworld and other titles. “I don’t think there’s much overlap between our audience and that of other games,” he said. “If anything, we’re competing more with the release schedules than with specific franchises.”

As for a better tagline, Buckley joked that he might have pitched something along the lines of, “Palworld: What happens when ARK meets Factorio and Happy Tree Friends?” Although catchy, he conceded that it lacked the simplicity of “Pokémon with guns.”

In a broader discussion, Buckley also touched on the potential for Palworld to arrive on future platforms like the Nintendo Switch 2 and whether Pocketpair would ever seek acquisition. For more insights, you can read the full interview here.