Summary
- Palworld may transition to a free-to-play live-service model in the future.
- The CEO of Pocketpair believes that this would make the game more profitable and expand its lifespan, but is aware of the many challenges this decision may pose.
- A PlayStation 5 port of Palworld may be announced at Tokyo Game Show 2024.
According to the CEO of Pocketpair, Palworld could potentially become a free-to-play game in the future. Many major studios are trying to release successful live service titles these days, and it seems that using the huge success of Palworld to pave the way for a free-to-play live service model is being weighed as a possibility by the game’s developers.
Released in early access in January 2024, Palworld is one of the biggest hits of 2024. The so-called “Pokemon with guns” title combined survival mechanics and quick-paced combat with cute monsters for players to capture, attracting over 25 million players in its first month. Now, the game’s developers are trying to decide how to use this somewhat unexpected success to secure Palworld’s future.
New Game is Like Palworld Meets Pokemon GO
A new game is revealed that takes the best features from open-world creature collection games like Palworld and Pokemon GO and makes them its own.
In a recent interview with ASCII.jp (translated by Automaton), Pocketpair CEO Takuro Mizobe talked about the long-term plans for Palworld, indicating that the team has considered implementing a live-service model but has not yet made a decision. While Mizobe believes that turning Palworld into a free-to-play live-service game would make it more profitable and extend its lifespan, there would be complications. Palworld was initially sold as a $30 game, and millions of people have already purchased it. "It is common for live-service games to be free-to-play with paid elements such as skins and battle passes, but Palworld is a buy-to-play game, so it’s difficult to turn it into a live-service game from the ground up,” the CEO said. However, Palworld’s player count has been declining lately, which is likely what makes this idea attractive.
Pocketpair CEO Still Doesn't Know the Future of Palworld
It is common for live-service games to be free-to-play with paid elements such as skins and battle passes, but Palworld is a buy-to-play game, so it’s difficult to turn it into a live-service game from the ground up.
Palworld received a massive player count spike in June, soon after a major update and its first price reduction during the Steam Summer Sale. Updates and a low price could keep the game’s player base engaged, but Mizobe is also aware that making such a drastic change is a risky move, especially so early in development. During the interview, the dev cited both PUGB and Fall Guys as examples of games that shifted to F2P, but they both took several years to do it.
While the future of Palworld is still unknown, it seems that some of Pocketpair’s short-term moves may already be clear. At the moment, there are rumors that a PS5 port for Palworld will be officially announced at the Tokyo Game Show, which starts on September 26. While the information is still unconfirmed, this could be great news for PS5 owners, and may greatly expand the title’s user base without the need for more major changes.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 71 /100 Critics Rec: 58%
- Released
- January 19, 2024
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Violence
- Developer(s)
- Pocket Pair, Inc.
- Publisher(s)
- Pocket Pair, Inc.
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- Xbox Series X|S, pc
WHERE TO PLAY
In this game, you can peacefully live alongside mysterious creatures known as Pals or risk your life to drive off a ruthless poaching syndicate. Pals can be used to fight and breed, or they can be made to work on farms or factories. You can even sell them or eat them.
Survival: In a harsh environment where food is scarce and vicious poachers roam, danger waits around every corner. To survive, you must tread carefully and make difficult choices...even if that means eating your own Pals when the time comes.
Mounts & Exploration: Pals can be mounted to traverse the land, sea and sky—allowing you to traverse all kinds of environment as you explore the world.
Collect all kinds of exciting Pals to fight, farm, build, and work for you in this completely new multiplayer, open world survival and crafting game!
- Cross Save
- yes
- Number of Players
- 1-4 (Co-Op); 32 Players Server Limit
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- yes
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Shooter, Survival
- How Long To Beat
- 36 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 6 GB (February 2024)
