Palworld's Communications Director Addresses AI Controversy and Misunderstandings

At the Game Developers Conference (GDC) last month, we had the opportunity to sit down with John “Bucky” Buckley, the communications director and publishing manager for Palworld developer Pocketpair. Our conversation followed his insightful talk at the conference titled 'Community Management Summit: A Palworld Roller Coaster: Surviving the Drop,' where Buckley candidly discussed several challenges faced by Palworld, including accusations of using generative AI (which Pocketpair has thoroughly debunked) and claims of stealing Pokemon's models for their Pals (which the original accuser has since retracted). Buckley even touched on Nintendo's patent infringement lawsuit against the studio, describing it as a "shock" that "no one even considered."

We've already covered some highlights from our conversation in shorter articles, but given the depth of Buckley's insights into Pocketpair's community struggles and successes, we've decided to share the full extended interview here. For those interested in a more concise version, you can find Buckley's comments on potential Palworld releases for 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.

This interview has been lightly edited for clarity:

IGN: Let's start with the lawsuit you mentioned in your GDC talk. Has it impacted Pocketpair's ability to update and move forward with the game?

John Buckley: No, the lawsuit hasn't hindered our ability to update the game or move forward. It's more of a constant presence that affects our morale. While it requires legal attention from the top, it hasn't directly affected development. It's the emotional toll on the team that's been the biggest challenge.

IGN: You mentioned the 'Pokemon with guns' label in your talk. Why did it seem to bother you?

Buckley: Many believe that was our initial goal, but it wasn't. Our inspiration was more along the lines of ARK: Survival Evolved, with an emphasis on automation and unique creature personalities. The 'Pokemon with guns' label emerged after our first trailer, and while it's catchy, it doesn't accurately reflect the game's core.

IGN: You mentioned not understanding why Palworld took off so dramatically. Was the 'Pokemon with guns' label a significant factor?

Buckley: It certainly played a role in generating buzz. However, the label oversimplifies the game. We encourage players to experience it firsthand before forming an opinion.

IGN: If you could choose a different moniker for Palworld, what would it be?

Buckley: Perhaps something like "Palworld: It's kind of like ARK if ARK met Factorio and Happy Tree Friends." It might not be as catchy, but it's closer to what the game is about.

IGN: You also addressed the criticism about the game being 'AI slop.' How did this impact the team at Pocketpair?

Buckley: It was deeply upsetting, especially for our artists. Despite releasing an art book to counter these claims, the narrative persists. Many of our artists prefer to stay out of the public eye, which makes it challenging to refute these accusations effectively.

IGN: The conversation about generative AI in the industry is ongoing. How do you respond to the skepticism about AI-generated content?

Buckley: Much of the criticism stems from misinterpretations of our CEO's comments and a game we developed called AI: Art Imposter. These misunderstandings have fueled the narrative that we endorse AI art, which isn't the case.

IGN: What's your take on the state of online gaming communities, especially given the harassment you've faced?

Buckley: Social media is crucial for us, particularly in our primary markets in Asia. While online communities can be intense, we understand the emotional investment players have. However, death threats and extreme reactions are difficult to handle and seem disproportionate to the issues at hand.

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

Buckley: There's a trend of people taking contrarian positions for attention, which can be frustrating. Fortunately, Palworld has largely avoided these broader social and political debates, focusing more on game-related feedback.

IGN: You mentioned in your talk that the majority of the criticism came from the Western audience. Why do you think that is?

Buckley: It's a mystery to us as well. In Japan, opinions are split, and we often target overseas markets first. Perhaps it was just easier to target us at the time, but the situation has calmed down significantly.

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IGN: Palworld's success seems to have been unexpected. Has it changed how the studio operates or your future plans?

Buckley: It has influenced our future plans, but not the core studio culture. We've expanded our server team and are continuously hiring more developers and artists to speed up development. Despite the growth, our CEO wants to keep the studio small and maintain its indie spirit.

IGN: Do you anticipate supporting Palworld for a long time?

Buckley: Absolutely, Palworld is here to stay. However, its future form is uncertain. We're also continuing to work on other projects like Craftopia and supporting individual initiatives within the company.

IGN: There's been confusion about a partnership. Can you clarify?

Buckley: We're not owned by Sony. The partnership is often misunderstood, but we're not affiliated in that way. Our CEO would never allow an acquisition; he values independence.

IGN: How do you see Palworld competing with other games like Pokemon?

Buckley: We don't see ourselves in direct competition with Pokemon. Our game systems are entirely different, and our audience doesn't overlap significantly. We focus more on survival games like Nightingale and Enshrouded, and we maintain a friendly relationship with other developers like ARK's Studio Wildcard.

IGN: Would you consider releasing Palworld on the Switch?

Buckley: If the Switch can handle the game's demands, we'd be open to it. We're also interested in the Switch 2, but we're waiting for the specs to be revealed. Our experience optimizing for the Steam Deck gives us hope for future handheld releases.

IGN: What message do you have for those who misunderstand Palworld based on media reports?

Buckley: I encourage them to play the game. It's often misrepresented by the drama surrounding it. A demo could help, but the main takeaway is that Palworld is a unique experience that deserves to be explored firsthand.

Last year was exceptional for the gaming industry, with games like Palworld, Helldivers 2, and Black Myth: Wukong achieving extraordinary success. The heightened emotions and excitement of 2024 will likely be remembered for years to come.