Total number of player since release over 19,000,000 players
STEAM : 12 Million Players (Approx. $250 Million USD in Revenue)
XBOX : 7 Million Players
▶ These remarkable figures were attained with a budget of just $7 million USD.
The gaming industry is abuzz with controversy surrounding 「Palworld」, and while various analysts offer their insights into the game's meteoric rise, I would like to share my personal perspective on the matter.
📌 [Pokémon + Gun]: It might just be simple math after all
Although 「Pocketpair Inc.」 formally denies any connection between their latest release and the original Pokémon Intellectual Property (IP), it is widely acknowledged that the latter served as a source of inspiration for their creation.
It is worth noting that Pokémon, a globally acclaimed intellectual property appreciated by individuals from diverse backgrounds, initially directed its efforts towards engaging a younger demographic at the time of its inception with Pokémon Red and Green in 1996, followed by Pokémon Red and Blue in 1998. These releases were strategically designed to cater to the preferences of children and teenagers, typically ranging in age from 8 to 16 years. As a result, individuals belonging to this age group would now likely find themselves in their mid-to-late 20s and early-to-mid 30s today, a demographic that aligns with the core audience of the first-person shooter (FPS) game.
If you've had the opportunity to observe gameplay clips of 「Palworld」, you'll likely have noticed the diverse range of in-game activities to engage in. Among these activities, shooting stands out as a core component. The controls necessary for a FPS game are often intuitive for those who have previous experience playing such games. While 「Palworld」 offers various content that may be less familiar to some players, the act of shooting is a universally recognizable and familiar aspect that resonates with a broad audience.
Now let's put these two together.
Among the potentially billions of players who have held a deep affection for the Pokémon franchise, which commenced several decades ago, one is likely to discover an individual who also possesses an appreciation for FPS games.
📌Huh?
You might ask.
The concept of building a strong IP is undeniably a cornerstone of business strategy for gaming companies for this specific reason. To underscore this point, let's begin by examining the approximate number of players for each Pokémon game.
📌IP is more Important Than You Think
Indeed, despite criticism from some harsh critics and opinionated gamers regarding various aspects like lack of innovation, difficulty settings, and reused graphical textures from previous series, the Pokémon IP has consistently demonstrated its enduring strength. This resilience is evident in the consistent and robust player base that each Pokémon title has managed to maintain over the years. The franchise's core appeal, including the collection and battles of unique creatures, the sense of adventure, and the social aspect of trading and battling with friends, has proven to be a powerful draw that keeps players engaged and returning for each new installment. This highlights the enduring and iconic nature of the Pokémon brand within the world of gaming.
"It leaves in some of the original’s roster flaws, but they’re largely forgivable if you’re like me and have some degree of nostalgia for a time when Pokémon’s scope was smaller. And yet, I can’t help but be disappointed that Brilliant Diamond and Shining Pearl weren’t braver in how they improved upon the originals in the same way other Pokémon remakes were, bringing even some now-historic improvements back to correct history’s mistakes"- IGN
📌Pokémon is Not the Only Case
Regulators had concerns about Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, especially regarding the "Call of Duty" franchise, due to competition issues. By acquiring Activision Blizzard, critics argued that Microsoft's gaming division would own too much of the industry, unfairly limiting its competitors and ultimately harming consumers
The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in the U.S. initially attempted to block the deal, citing these concerns. In the UK, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) originally blocked the acquisition due to fears it would result in higher prices, fewer choices, and less innovation for UK gamers
While there may exist multiple rationales behind the opposition mounted by numerous stakeholders against Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, this specific instance underscores the immense influence wielded by the concept of IP within the industry.
Moreover, 'Hogwarts Legacy,' potentially one of the first AAA Harry Potter games, launched in February 2023 and achieved noteworthy success by selling more than 22 million units. This accomplishment allowed it to surpass all other titles, securing the coveted title of the best-selling game worldwide in 2023.
📌Familiarity on Contents Within
If you have ever engaged in FPS gaming, you are likely familiar with the WASD control scheme. These keys serve as the standard inputs for character movement, allowing players to navigate forward, backward, leftward, and rightward. Now, consider a scenario where, instead of the intuitive WASD configuration, players are now required to utilize the keys F for forward, B for backward, L for leftward, and R for rightward. While this illustration may appear exaggerated, it underscores the inherent challenges and potential user confusion associated with departing from a widely established and user-friendly control scheme.
The consistency extends to the in-game content as well. The concept of throwing Poké Balls to capture Pokémon and subsequently having these captured creatures as friendly units is firmly rooted in the well-established Pokémon franchise. Consequently, players find it significantly easier to comprehend the distinct roles of various in-game items, as they already possess a clear understanding of the functions of these items from previous experiences.
Pocketpair also addressed the parallels between 「Palworld」 and 「Ark Survival」, emphasizing common elements such as creature iteration, survival mechanics, sandbox elements, and more. Takuro Mobi, the founder of Palworld, articulated his company's approach of amalgamating innovative concepts from popular games to create a fresh synthesis.
📌In Summary,
「Palworld」 represents an innovative concept that has emerged within a pre-existing community, albeit one that was previously unclaimed. I maintain a neutral stance on this matter as no lawsuits have materialized thus far, and the situation continues to evolve. Nevertheless, I firmly believe that this event presents a valuable opportunity for an in-depth case study to explore the potential transformations in the gaming industry landscape that may result from it.
