Key Takeaways
- Pocketpair opposes generative AI and will not publish titles that rely on this technology.
- The company received significant interest for its new publishing division, including over 400 emails and 150 game pitches in its first week.
- Concerns about generative AI include an influx of low-quality content that may impact platforms like Steam.
- After the successful launch of Palworld, the developer faced accusations of asset theft and AI involvement in character designs.
- Engaging with critics can backfire, leading Pocketpair to focus on updates for Palworld while navigating legal challenges from Nintendo.
Palworld's developer, Pocketpair, has recently stirred up the publishing industry with its firm opposition to generative AI. The company has declared that its publishing arm will not support any titles that depend on this technology.
Strong Opinions from Pocketpair
In a discussion with Game Developer during Gamescom Asia, John “Bucky” Buckley, the communications director and publishing manager, expressed, “People may think I’m not telling the truth, but these are just the hard facts. We don’t see value in it. We’re very open about it.”
The company’s position also includes Web3 initiatives and NFT games. Buckley emphasized, “If your focus is on AI or if your game is Web3 or incorporates NFTs, there are plenty of publishers willing to engage, but we aren’t the right fit for that.”
A Busy Start for the Publishing Division
Pocketpair’s publishing division, which debuted in mid-January 2025, was met with a wave of interest, receiving over 400 emails, 150 game pitches, and more than 2,000 LinkedIn requests in just the first week, as noted in an official announcement on X.
Their first project is an unnamed horror game from Surgent Studios, recognized for Tales of Kenzara: ZAU, featuring voice actors like Neil Newbon from Baldur’s Gate 3 and Ben Starr from Final Fantasy 16.
Concerns About Content Quality
Buckley’s concerns about generative AI are partly due to the increasing amount of low-quality content flooding the market, which he predicts will soon overshadow platforms like Steam. He mentioned, “It’s something that has troubled other stores, but Steam had been effective in keeping them at bay. But, it’s happening.”
He cautions that this shift in the industry could create paranoia, leading to baseless claims that target genuine creators—an issue Pocketpair is all too familiar with.
Facing Criticism After a Successful Launch
In early 2024, following Palworld’s remarkable Early Access release, which sold 5 million copies within three days and attracted over two million concurrent players on Steam, the game was hit with a wave of accusations claiming it was “AI slop.”
Critics highlighted the creature designs as suspiciously similar to Pokémon, while some online accused the game of asset theft from Pokémon: Scarlet and Violet. Others brought attention to CEO Takuro Mizobe’s 2021 tweets where he experimented with AI-generated “fakemon” to avoid copyright issues.
Pocketpair firmly rejected these claims, attributing the character designs to a single artist who had been turned down by 100 companies, and even launched the party game AI: Art Imposter, a social deduction game that pokes fun at the AI trend.
The Challenge of Addressing Criticism
Buckley recognizes the irony of the situation, explaining how engaging with critics often backfires. “You know, I can’t just come out and start battling with those making accusations about AI, because that only adds fuel to the fire.”
In the meantime, Pocketpair continues to update Palworld regularly while also dealing with increasing legal issues from Nintendo regarding alleged copyright infringements related to its profitable Pokémon franchise.