In a recent interview with ASCII, Pocketpair CEO Takuro Mizobe discussed the potential future of their popular survival game, Palworld. Mizobe stated that while there are no definitive plans yet, Palworld will continue to receive updates, including new Pals and maps. He mentioned that the game might evolve into a live-service title, but emphasized that this direction is still under consideration.
Mizobe acknowledged the potential benefits of transitioning Palworld to a live-service model. From a business perspective, he noted that such a move could extend the game’s lifespan and enhance profitability. However, he also pointed out that Palworld was not originally designed with a live-service approach in mind, which could introduce significant challenges if they decided to pursue this path.
One of the key factors in deciding whether to implement a live-service model is player demand. Mizobe emphasized that the developers would need to gauge whether the player base would support such a shift. He referenced other games like Fall Guys and PUBG, which successfully transitioned to free-to-play models but took years to implement effectively. This indicates that even if Pocketpair wanted to adopt a live-service model, it would not be a straightforward process.
Mizobe also mentioned the complexity of making the transition, recognizing that while the live-service model could be advantageous for business, it involves considerable effort and time. The development team would need to carefully consider whether the benefits outweigh the potential difficulties of redesigning the game to fit this model.
For now, Pocketpair has not made any final decisions regarding Palworld’s future direction. Fans of the game might want to keep an eye on this year’s Tokyo Game Show, where a possible announcement about a Palworld PS5 port is anticipated. This event could provide more clarity on the game’s future and any potential changes in its business model.
