Palworld Director Addresses AI Controversy, Online Challenges, and Misconceptions

During the Game Developers Conference (GDC) last month, we had the opportunity to engage in an in-depth conversation with John “Bucky” Buckley, the communications director and publishing manager for Palworld developer Pocketpair. Following his insightful talk at the conference titled 'Community Management Summit: A Palworld Roller Coaster: Surviving the Drop,' Buckley shared candid insights into Palworld's challenges, including accusations of using generative AI and copying Pokémon models, which have been thoroughly debunked. He also touched on the unexpected lawsuit from Nintendo regarding patent infringement, describing it as a "shock" to the studio.

Our conversation with Buckley was rich with insights into Pocketpair's community management strategies and the studio's journey. While we've covered some highlights in previous articles, we're excited to share the full, extended interview here. For those seeking more concise summaries, you can find Buckley's thoughts on potential Palworld releases on the Nintendo Switch 2, the studio's reaction to the "Pokemon with guns" label, and the possibility of Pocketpair being acquired at the provided links.

**IGN: Let's address the unavoidable topic first. You briefly mentioned the lawsuit in your GDC talk. Has it impacted Pocketpair's ability to update and move forward with the game?**

**John Buckley:** The lawsuit hasn't hindered our ability to update or advance the game. It's more of a lingering concern that affects morale within the company. While it requires legal attention and resources, it hasn't slowed down our development process. The impact is primarily emotional for our team.

**IGN: In your talk, you seemed to dislike the 'Pokemon with guns' label. Could you explain why?**

**Buckley:** Many think we started with that idea, but that's not true. Our goal was to create a game similar to ARK: Survival Evolved, but with more automation and unique creature personalities. The 'Pokemon with guns' label emerged after our first trailer, and while it caught attention, it doesn't accurately represent what Palworld is about. We'd prefer players to experience the game firsthand rather than rely on that moniker.

**IGN: You mentioned not understanding why Palworld became such a hit. Do you think the 'Pokemon with guns' label played a role?**

**Buckley:** Absolutely, that label did fuel interest. However, it's frustrating when people assume that's what the game is without playing it. We'd rather be known as a blend of ARK, Factorio, and Happy Tree Friends—a more accurate reflection of our game's essence.

**IGN: You also addressed the criticism of Palworld being AI-generated. How did that impact your team?**

**Buckley:** The AI accusations were devastating, especially for our artists, particularly our Pal concept artists. Despite our efforts to refute these claims, including releasing an art book, the misconception persists. Our artists, many of whom are female and prefer to remain private, find it deeply upsetting. It's challenging to counter these narratives effectively.

**IGN: How do you view the state of online gaming communities, especially given the harassment you've faced?**

**Buckley:** Social media remains crucial for us, especially given our strong presence in Asian markets. However, online gaming communities can be intense. We understand the frustration when bugs occur, but the death threats are irrational and deeply affect us. We're just as invested in the game as our players and are always working to improve it.

**IGN: Do you feel social media has gotten worse lately?**

**Buckley:** There's a trend where people take opposing views just for the reaction, which can skew discussions. Fortunately, Palworld has mostly avoided political and social controversies, focusing more on gameplay feedback.

**IGN: You mentioned the heat from Western audiences. Why do you think that was?**

**Buckley:** It's a mystery to us as well. In Japan, opinions about us are split, but the intense reactions, especially the death threats, were predominantly in English. Perhaps it was just the timing and the nature of online discourse at that moment.

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**IGN: Palworld's success was unexpected. Has it changed how the studio operates or your future plans?**

**Buckley:** The success has influenced our future plans, but our studio's core culture remains unchanged. We've expanded our server and development teams to speed up development, but our CEO aims to keep the studio relatively small, with around 70 people. The numbers from our success are surreal, and it's challenging to manage.

**IGN: Do you see Palworld being supported for a long time?**

**Buckley:** Palworld isn't going anywhere. Its form may evolve, but we'll continue to support it. We're also working on other projects, like Craftopia, and encouraging individual projects within the studio. Palworld has become both a game and an IP, with different trajectories.

**IGN: There's confusion about your partnership with Sony. Can you clarify?**

**Buckley:** There's a lot of misunderstanding about our relationship with Sony. We're not owned by them; we're just collaborating on Palworld's IP. Our CEO would never allow an acquisition; he values his independence too much.

**IGN: Do you see competition from games like Pokémon?**

**Buckley:** We don't view Pokémon as direct competition. Our game systems are different, and the audiences don't overlap significantly. We were more focused on other survival games like Nightingale and Enshrouded. Competition in gaming often feels manufactured, and we're more concerned with timing than direct competition.

**IGN: Would you consider releasing Palworld on the Switch?**

**Buckley:** If we could optimize Palworld for the Switch, we would. We're waiting to see the specs of the Switch 2, but if it's powerful enough, it's definitely something we'd consider. We've already optimized for Steam Deck and want to expand to more handhelds.

**IGN: You feel Palworld is misunderstood. What's your message to those who haven't played it?**

**Buckley:** Many only know Palworld through the drama and misconceptions. I encourage them to play it themselves. We're considering a demo to give people a taste of what the game truly offers. We're not the 'seedy and scummy' company some make us out to be; we're just a team passionate about creating unique gaming experiences.

**IGN: The 'Pokemon with guns' meme has overshadowed other aspects of Palworld. What's your take on that?**

**Buckley:** Last year was incredible for gaming, with many successful titles. The 'Pokemon with guns' meme caught on, but it's a simplification that doesn't capture the full scope of Palworld. We're a dedicated studio, and we hope to continue creating impactful games.