Palworld’s Live Service Model Status Remains Uncertain

Live service games are increasingly becoming a topic of conversation across the gaming industry. Many discussions revolve around companies’ desire to embrace this model. Nonetheless, developers are diverse in their approach, and some are taking a closer look at the concept before immediately adopting it. Pocketpair, the creators of the survival game Palworld, is one such developer.

In a recent interview with ASCII.jp (translated by Automaton via Video Games Chronicle), Takuro Mizobe, CEO of the company, revealed that they’re unsure about adopting this model for Palworld. He acknowledged it might “prolong the game’s lifespan and guarantee stable profits” yet admitted the game was not initially designed for this model, thus it would require considerable changes.

Mizobe also addressed the potential backlash from switching to a live service game model, as it usually implies transitioning to a free-to-play system, likely upsetting those who originally purchased the game. He acknowledged that while some games successfully convert to F2P, it’s a lengthy and complex process.

The team’s eventual decision remains to be seen.