Palworld Won't Answer the Question 'What's Beyond AAA?'

Palworld's Unexpected Path: From Massive Success to Indie Focus

Pocketpair, the developer behind the wildly successful Palworld, has amassed considerable profits, potentially enough to create a game exceeding AAA standards. However, CEO Takuro Mizobe has confirmed the studio's intention to remain in the indie space.

The Financial Success of Palworld and Pocketpair's Indie Stance

Palworld's revenue is reportedly in the "tens of billions of yen," translating to tens of millions of USD. Despite this windfall, Mizobe clarified that Pocketpair lacks the organizational structure to manage a project of such immense scale. He emphasized that Palworld's development was funded by profits from previous titles, Craftopia and Overdungeon, and that scaling up abruptly wouldn't be prudent.

Mizobe stated that exceeding AAA production would overstretch their current capabilities. He prefers to focus on projects that thrive within the indie game landscape, leveraging improved game engines and industry conditions to achieve global success without massive teams. Pocketpair attributes its growth to the indie community and aims to reciprocate this support.

Expanding the Palworld Universe

Mizobe previously indicated that Pocketpair won't be expanding its team or upgrading its facilities. Instead, the focus is on expanding the Palworld IP through various mediums. The early access game continues to receive significant updates, including a PvP arena and a new island in the Sakurajima update. Furthermore, a partnership with Sony has led to the creation of Palworld Entertainment, managing global licensing and merchandising. This strategic move demonstrates a commitment to fostering the Palworld brand across diverse platforms.