Palworld: AAA Gaming's Next Frontier?

Palworld's massive success has positioned Pocketpair, its developer, for potentially groundbreaking ventures. The game's profits could easily fund a project exceeding even AAA game standards. However, CEO Takuro Mizobe has outlined a different path for the studio. Let's explore his reasoning.

Palworld's Profits: Beyond AAA, or a Different Path?

Pocketpair: Embracing Indie Development and Community Support

Palworld's phenomenal success has generated tens of billions of yen in revenue for Pocketpair—that's tens of millions of USD. This windfall could easily fund a project surpassing traditional AAA game budgets. Yet, CEO Takuro Mizobe has reiterated his disinterest in pursuing such a large-scale endeavor.

In a recent GameSpark interview, Mizobe clarified that while Palworld's success is undeniable, Pocketpair isn't structured to manage a project of that magnitude. He explained that Palworld's development leveraged profits from previous titles, Craftopia and Overdungeon. This time, however, the scale of the potential next project is too significant for their current organizational structure.

Mizobe stated, "If we were to develop our next game based on these proceeds, the scale would surpass AAA standards, and our organization isn't equipped to handle it." He prefers focusing on projects that thrive within the indie game space, emphasizing their inherent appeal and manageable scope.

Mizobe highlighted the challenges of AAA game development, citing increased difficulties in creating successful titles with large teams. Conversely, the indie scene is flourishing, with improved game engines and industry conditions enabling global success without massive operations. Pocketpair's growth is deeply rooted in the indie community, and they aim to reciprocate this support.

Palworld's Expansion into New Mediums

Mizobe previously indicated that Pocketpair isn't focused on expanding its team or upgrading its facilities. Instead, their strategy involves diversifying the Palworld IP through various mediums.

Despite being in early access, Palworld has garnered significant praise for its engaging gameplay and substantial updates, including the recent PvP arena and the Sakurajima island expansion. Furthermore, Pocketpair has established Palworld Entertainment in collaboration with Sony to manage global licensing and merchandising.