Summary
The overnight sensation game that took the internet by storm with its early access release on January 19,Palworld, has already risen to the very top of Steam charts both in terms of concurrent players and copies sold, breaking multiple records at once. So far, in just 5 days since its launch,Palworldhas amassed over seven million copies soldon Steam alone, and it has surpassed two million concurrent players on a weekday, meaning its incredible numbers may not even be done growing. This level of success may seem unprecedented, but there have been similar cases in the past, with one of the most notable beingHogwarts Legacy- andPalworldmay be set on the same trajectory as the Wizarding World game, for better or for worse.
PalworldandHogwarts Legacydon’t share a lot of characteristics, with the former being a survival game at its core that also uses camp-building and monster-collecting features for its loop, and the latter being an open-world title with RPG elements and action-oriented combat. Despite these surface-level differences, there may be something that ends up equating the two games in the end, and if so,Palworldfans may be in for a rough ride toward the end of 2024.
Why Palworld May Share Hogwarts Legacy’s Fate
What Palworld and Hogwarts Legacy Have in Common
Palworld’s sales are incredible, and one can’t help but wonder if it means that the monster-collecting fanbase is ready to havePokemoncompetition. However, this exact comparison has not been very favorable for Pocketpair’s game so far, with accusations ofPalworldstealing Pokemon designs for its Pals, sparking a massive online discourse between fans of both IPs. The controversy surroundingPalworldis quite polarizing, to the point that some consider thePokemonplagiarism a possible marketing strategy onPalworld’s part, whereas others believe that the resemblance between Pals and pocket monsters is not uncanny and the designs remain original.
Palworld is also controversial for its depiction of animal abuse as well as other plagiarism claims from fans of games like ARK and Fortnite.
Either way, a similar level of controversial launch was achieved byHogwarts Legacytoo last year, as it came at a time when J. K. Rowling’s transphobic comments were running rampant online, but Avalanche Software didn’t release statements about it. It’s likely that the developer was trying to avoid bad press or was even legally bound not to discuss Rowling’s actions and words, but the lack of pro-LGBTQIA+ community comments andHogwarts Legacy’s goblin rebellion plotended up starting multiple boycott attempts by all kinds of gamers, including many formerHarry Potterfans. As a result, the Wizarding World game’s own trans character was seen as a sop.
Why Palworld May be Snubbed At The Game Awards in 2024
Be itHogwarts Legacy’s controversial plot, the fact that the developer didn’t make a clear stance against Rowling’s hate campaign, or the fact that 2023 ended up being one of the richest years in history for good video games, but the end result was that the game was snubbed at The Game Awards. Recent data even prove thatHogwarts Legacyended up outsellingCall of Dutyin 2023, which is an incredible milestone in and of itself, and also one that makes the game all the more undeserving of bad press and lack of awards in the eyes of many.
Given its current situation in terms of controversies, and given how many great releases are on 2024’s video game calendar, it’s not out of the realm of possibility thatPalworldwill also be snubbed at the 2024 The Game Awards for either Game Of The Year nomination or more. Much like 2023 sparked a major debate about what makes an indie game actually “indie” after theDave the Divernomination at TGA,Palworld’s inclusion as a nominee or its exclusion could lead to different kinds of conversations. As such, despitePalworld’s smashing success, it may very well end up being anotherHogwarts Legacyin 2024.
Palworld
WHERE TO PLAY
In this game, you may peacefully live alongside mysterious creatures known as Pals or risk your life to drive off a ruthless poaching syndicate. Pals can be used to fight and breed, or they can be made to work on farms or factories. You can even sell them or eat them.Survival: In a harsh environment where food is scarce and vicious poachers roam, danger waits around every corner. To survive, you must tread carefully and make difficult choices…even if that means eating your own Pals when the time comes.Mounts & Exploration: Pals can be mounted to traverse the land, sea and sky—allowing you to traverse all kinds of environment as you explore the world.Collect all kinds of exciting Pals to fight, farm, build, and work for you in this completely new multiplayer, open world survival and crafting game!
