After Palworld exploded in popularity, developer Pocketpair naturally had many opportunities to expand the game’s footprint. However, the team doesn’t plan to completely copy Fortnite’s model of integrating different gameplay modes, crossover collaborations, and various content into the same platform. In an interview with MP1st, Pocketpair’s Publishing and Communications Lead John “Bucky” Buckley stated that the team certainly hopes the game succeeds, but “maximizing revenue as quickly as possible” is not the main reason for determining creative direction. Rather than building a massive platform that keeps stuffing in new content, they want to make genuinely interesting games in their own way.
Not an Add-On Mode — Make It a Separate Game Instead!
Pocketpair’s upcoming spin-off projects perfectly reflect this philosophy. Among them, Palworld: Palfarm is a farming-focused game where players can interact with Pals in a more relaxed manner. Following Fortnite’s development approach, the team could have simply added farming gameplay to the original as a new game mode, then expanded content through continuous updates. However, Buckley believes some creative concepts are better as independent games, allowing the team to design gameplay systems, pacing, and overall experience from scratch without being limited by the original’s framework. He emphasized that it’s not about which is better — integrated platforms or standalone games — but rather that different games should use the development approach that suits them.
Romance Simulation, Farm Management, and MMO Games Coming One After Another
Beyond the farming simulation game, Pocketpair is also exploring other possibilities for the Palworld universe, including a romance simulation title Pal♡world! ~More Than Just Pals and plans for multiplayer online games. These projects let players experience the Palworld from different angles rather than just relying on the original’s continuous paid add-on content to maintain popularity.
Buckley also emphasized that Pocketpair remains a completely self-owned, self-funded independent company, with the core decision principle always being “Is this fun?” Of course, choosing to release new games independently doesn’t mean commercial considerations don’t exist at all, but based on the team’s current statements, they want each game to have its own identity rather than turning all creative ideas into revenue tools on the same platform.