Pocketpair's Palworld Rejects Generative AI Use

Pocketpair, the development studio behind Palworld, has stated it will not release any games that incorporate generative AI. Discover the company's position on artificial intelligence in game development and the potential industry impact in the years ahead.

Pocketpair Excludes Generative AI from Its Publishing Strategy

Declining Projects Involving AI, Web3, or NFTs

Pocketpair, known for Palworld, will not publish games that use artificial intelligence, Web3, or NFTs. At Gamescom Asia x Thailand Game Show 2025, Game Developer interviewed John Buckley, Communications Director and Publishing Manager at Pocketpair, regarding the company's perspective on generative AI and related technologies.

Earlier this year, Pocketpair launched its publishing arm with the goal of supporting independent developers and studios in releasing their games. The company's website states, "We don’t want to dictate your actions. We won’t seize control or alter your vision. We won’t pressure you into creating a specific kind of game. Our role is to provide funding and support to help you develop an enjoyable game."

Currently, Pocketpair Publishing is backing projects such as Truckful from MythicOwl, Dead Take by Surgent Studios, and Normal Fishing from The Bworg, all of which are in development for PC via Steam.

Nevertheless, there is one area Pocketpair firmly rejects: integrating generative AI into game development. Buckley emphasized that the company "does not support" this technology, particularly in light of accusations that Palworld itself employed AI.

He remarked, "Skeptics may call me dishonest, but these are the straightforward facts. We do not endorse AI. We are transparent about this. If your focus is on AI, Web3, or NFT-based games, numerous other publishers may be interested, but we are not the appropriate partner for such projects."

Current Games with AI Elements and Future Industry Trends

Despite Pocketpair's firm opposition to AI-generated games, Buckley acknowledged that the industry is already saturated with such titles. He commented, "In the next couple of years, we're entering a strange phase—evident now on Steam—with a surge of extremely low-quality, AI-produced games."

Buckley predicted this trend would make gaming communities increasingly vigilant about development methods, presenting a challenge for Pocketpair, which has repeatedly faced unfounded claims of using AI in its games.

He conceded that dispelling these allegations is challenging once the public has formed an opinion. Still, the company remains steadfast in its anti-AI stance and will disregard the accusations.

Buckley elaborated, "Engaging in arguments with those who accuse us of using AI only exacerbates the situation." He acknowledged understanding the public's suspicion, given the pervasive use of AI across various platforms.

Unfortunately, this position places companies like Pocketpair in a tough spot, as overcoming the misconception of AI usage can be difficult. Despite this, they will proceed with game development and publishing, focusing on the launch of Palworld version 1.0 and the upcoming spinoff, Palfarm.

Palworld is playable on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC through Steam. For additional details on its gameplay and narrative, explore our article below!