Pocketpair, developer of the Pokemon-inspired, controversial game Palworld, has announced that they are entering the simulation game market. Pocketpair has been through the wringer so far, fending off lawsuits brought by Nintendo over patent and copyright infringement. The developer has seemingly made adjustments in anticipation of possible lawsuits, changing just enough to avoid a violation. Feeling confident about the success of Palworld, Pocketpair has now announced that a new game is in production, and it is turning some heads.

Palworld’s Pocketpair Enters The Simulation Game Genre

Last year, developer Pocketpair teased fans with an April Fools’ Day prank, claiming they were in the process of creating a Palworld-themed dating simulator. Except, as it turns out, it might not have been a prank. On March 31st, exactly one year after the prank announcement, Pocketpair revealed the game Palworld! More Than Just Pals. This time, the game has its own Steam page that gives an overview of what to expect, along with a game trailer. They are even offering a giveaway.

The game is described as a dating simulation. Players start as a Pal in Palagos Private Academy, where you get to meet other Pals in the school. Playing as one of the characters (so far, 10 new characters have been announced), fans will have the opportunity to explore friendships, wreck havoc on the school, and even build romantic relationships with other pals. The Steam page even suggests players will be able to dismember and eat other Pals. Yes, the game is suggesting it will offer canibalism as a simulation option.

Fans Are Skeptical After Being Fooled Once Already

Given last year’s April Fools Day joke was literally this exact game and description, and they are reusing some of the same images this year, fans are rightfully hesitant to believe Pocketpair. On their social media, however, they are trying to mitigate any concerns, responding to fans by making it clear this is not an April Fool’s Day joke this time. Only time will tell, but setting up an entire Steam page for a Palworld game that does not exist would be quite an elaborate hoax.

Final Thoughts

Palworld’s viral popularity seems poised for success with a game like this. The game is quirky and unique enough to work, even if some of the suggested ideas are a bit morbid or raunchy. Perhaps the fans’ positive reaction to the joke last year was enough for Pocketpair to determine they should make the real thing. Maybe this was always the plan. Either way, Pocketpair has already carved out a niche market, and Palword: More Than Just Pals should only help that market to grow. Is a dating sim based around a Pokemon inspired world with guns a game we needed? Probably not. But it is intriguing enough to be a game we never knew we wanted.