Palworld's Unexpected Path: Indie Spirit Over AAA Ambition
Pocketpair, the developer behind the wildly successful Palworld, has amassed considerable profits, potentially enough to fund a game exceeding AAA standards. However, CEO Takuro Mizobe has confirmed the studio's intention to remain firmly within the indie game space.
Despite Palworld's revenue reaching "tens of billions of yen" (tens of millions of USD), Mizobe believes Pocketpair isn't currently structured to handle a project of that magnitude. He emphasizes that Palworld's development was funded by profits from previous titles, Craftopia and Overdungeon, and that scaling up abruptly would be detrimental to the company's growth.
Mizobe explicitly stated that the studio's next project will be "interesting as indie games," prioritizing smaller-scale development. He cites the challenges of AAA game development, particularly the difficulty of creating a hit title with a large team, as a key factor in this decision. The flourishing indie game market, aided by improved game engines and industry conditions, offers a more accessible path to global success, according to Mizobe. He also highlights the crucial role of the indie community in Pocketpair's growth and expresses a desire to give back.
Rather than expanding their team or upgrading facilities, Pocketpair plans to focus on expanding the Palworld IP through various mediums. The early access title has already garnered significant praise for its engaging gameplay and consistent updates, including a recent PvP arena and a new island in the Sakurajima update. Furthermore, a partnership with Sony has resulted in the formation of Palworld Entertainment to manage global licensing and merchandising.
In short, Pocketpair is prioritizing organic growth and community engagement over a rapid expansion into the AAA market. Their focus remains on creating compelling indie experiences and leveraging the success of Palworld to explore new avenues for the franchise.
