Palworld Director Addresses AI Controversy, Clears Misconceptions

During last month's Game Developers Conference, we had an in-depth discussion with John "Bucky" Buckley, Pocketpair's communications director, following his insightful presentation about Palworld's community management journey.

The Rollercoaster Ride of Palworld's Launch

Buckley opened up about the intense challenges Palworld faced at launch, particularly regarding accusations of AI-assisted development and model plagiarism - claims that have since been thoroughly debunked. He even touched on Nintendo's unexpected lawsuit, admitting the legal action caught the studio completely off guard.

While we've previously shared snippets from this conversation, the full interview provides fascinating insights into Pocketpair's approach to community building and crisis management.

Q: How has the pending lawsuit impacted Palworld's development?

Buckley: Honestly, it's more about morale than workflow. The legal situation constantly lingers in everyone's minds, but it hasn't actually slowed down our updates or development progress.

Q: You mentioned disliking the "Pokemon with guns" nickname - why's that?

Buckley: Many assume we intentionally designed the game that way, but our actual inspiration came from ARK: Survival Evolved. We wanted to create something with deeper creature personalities and stronger automation elements.

Navigating the AI Controversy

The conversation turned to one of Palworld's most persistent criticisms - accusations of using generative AI. Buckley explained how these claims deeply affected the development team, particularly the artists who take great pride in their handcrafted designs.

"Our art book release helped counter these claims," Buckley noted, "but the stigma persists despite all evidence to the contrary." He described the delicate balance between defending their work and protecting team members who prefer to stay out of the public eye.

Community Challenges in the Social Media Age

Buckley shared candid thoughts about managing online communities in today's climate, where extreme reactions often dominate discussions. While he understands players' frustrations with bugs or balancing issues, he emphasized how death threats cross unacceptable lines.

"We live and breathe this game for 12 hours a day," Buckley said. "When issues arise, they affect us even more deeply than our players." He observed that Western audiences have been particularly vocal with criticisms compared to Palworld's Asian fanbase.

Palworld: Past, Present and Future

The interview concluded with Buckley discussing Palworld's unprecedented success and how it's shaping Pocketpair's future. Despite selling over 10 million copies, the studio maintains its indie spirit and commitment to creative freedom.

"Palworld isn't going anywhere," Buckley affirmed, though he hinted at potential new directions for the IP. As for acquisition rumors? "Our CEO would never allow it - he values independence too much."

The full interview offers a rare glimpse into the realities of managing a breakout hit in today's gaming landscape - complete with viral moments, unfounded accusations, and the constant challenge of balancing creative vision with community expectations.

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