Palworld has been a massive success on Steam, but with this success it also attracted criticisms of using generative AI. These claims are largely built out of accusations of plagiarism and previous statements made by Pocketpair’s CEO.
What has the Palworld developer Pocketpair CEO Said About AI Use?
Takuro Mizobe, the CEO of Palworld’s developer, Pocketpair, made several posts on X (formerly Twitter) between 2021 and 2023 that show a positive stance towards the use of AI. In 2021, he posted a collection of fake Pokémon that had been generated by AI. Other statements he has made include enthusiasm for AI-generated games and a general interest in seeing copyright laws rule in favor of AI-based content.
In addition, previous games made by Pocketpair do use AI in some way. In 2022, the team released a game called AI: Art Impostor. This game is a cross between the Jackbox Party Pack and Among Us, where the goal is create images and decide which player is the imposter who doesn’t know the theme given to other players. However, players use AI to generate the images instead of drawing them manually.
Prior to this game, Pocketpair also released a game that also appears to use AI. According to users in the Steam forums for Craftopia, there is an AI chatbot that allows players to speak to NPCs. This has led to mixed results with the answers NPCs will give to the player.
Does Palworld contain AI assets?
There is no clear evidence that Palworld has used AI assets directly. None of the AI-generated monster designs that Mizobe generated in his 2021 post feature in the game. Other accusations of AI use are based entirely on assumptions from these statements and previous uses. This doesn’t absolve Pocketpair of using the technology, it simply hasn’t been definitively proven yet.
The game is still receiving possible accusations of plagiarism though. Criticisms have emerged directly comparing the Pal designs in the game with similar designs from Pokemon. This criticism has been heightened thanks to X (Twitter) user Byofrog, who directly compared character models between Palworld and Pokemon Scarlet and Violet. While the models don’t map directly, they are close enough to raise suspicion.
Mizobe has posted a response to the controversy. However, it merely addresses online abuse directed at Pocketpair staff. It does not address the accusations of AI use or plagiarism directly.
Palworld is out now in Early Access for PC, Xbox One and Xbox Series X/S.
