Palword, an online multiplayer game that’s been dubbed “Pokémon with guns”, has become an overnight success — shipping 5 million copies in just three days. Demand has been so strong that server issues have plagued the first few days of the indie hit, with players struggling to login and play with friends online.
For comparison, blockbuster title The Last Of Us Part II sold 4 million copies in three days. That means Palword, which was released on January 19 with little fanfare on just two platforms, has sold more copies faster than the fastest-selling PlayStation exclusive of all time.
Sadly for PlayStation owners ...Palword isn’t available on the best-selling console just yet.
It’s currently only available on Windows and Xbox. Copies of the game can be bought via the Steam Store or Microsoft Store. It's also included with Xbox Game Pass, the Netflix-like subscription that offers players a rotating selection of games for Xbox and PC.
There’s no word on when Palword will release on Sony PS5 or Nintendo Switch, but we imagine that it’s on the roadmap for the team at Pocketpair given the vast success on PC and Xbox.
The online multiplayer is currently available in “early access,” so expect some rough edges as the developers race to add features and tweak issues. The silver lining of this unfinished state is that Palword costs much less than other Xbox and PC games.
For a limited time, Steam shoppers can pick up the title for £22.49 — a 10% saving compared to its standard cost of £24.99. The discount ends on January 25, just before the title celebrates its one-week anniversary since launch.
Players can fly on the back of their domesticated creatures, known as Pals, to traverse the vast landscape in the hit game
POCKETPAIR
Meanwhile, Xbox players will need to pay £24.99 to purchase the title outright from the Microsoft Store. However, Xbox Game Pass subscribers can download the game now, since it’s included with their monthly subscription.
CDKeys is a website that sells licence keys for games and software — often at a discount compared to other digital storefronts. It’s currently offering Palword on Xbox for £19.99. That’s a 20% saving compared to the RRP.
But there’s an even more affordable way to start playing Palword on Xbox. CDKeys offers a one-month subscription to Xbox Game Pass for just £8.99.
That’s a 30% saving compared to the usual £12.99 price tag for the games subscription as sold via the Microsoft Store.
Palworld developers have denied using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to clone Pokemon creatures for its gun-heavy video game on Xbox and PC
POCKETPAIR
During your month-long subscription, you’ll be able to play Palwordas often as you’d like. Palworldis compatible with Cloud Gaming via Xbox Game Pass, so you’ll be able to stream the title to your Xbox (handy if you’re short on storage and unable to install the title to the built-in hard drive), iPhone, Android phone or tablet, and iPad.
You can pair any of these devices with an Xbox wireless controller to enjoy a similar experience to your home console when you’re travelling.
“Fight, farm, build and work alongside mysterious creatures called ‘Pals’ in this completely new multiplayer, open world survival and crafting game,” the listing for the game reads.
Palworldhas enjoyed such a runaway success that it’s struggled to stay online since launch. Demand has caused server issues for those trying to play. At its peak, almost 1.3 million concurrent players were logged into the title via Steam.
However, the successful game has not been without its critics. A number of players have blasted the title over the similarity of the appearance of its Pals to Pokémon. While there are no guns in the latter, the immensely popular series also sees players train and battle alongside cute monsters.
Others have speculated that developer Pocketpair could be using Artificial Intelligence (AI) to clone designs from Pokémon for its game. However, no evidence has been found within the code.
The rumours seem to originate from comments made by the CEO of Pocketpair in favour of using AI in game design. CEO Takuro Mizobe has previously posted to social media, praising content created using AI.
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Mizobe has also theorised about a time in the future when the term “illustrator” will not refer to an individual artist ...but an AI model, with “analogue illustrator” becoming the go-to term for humans employed to create artwork.
