Palworld has become a massive hit, attracting over 19 million players within just a month of its release, and for many, it's primarily a solo experience. While it draws some inspiration from player-versus-player games like Ark: Survival Evolved, Palworld offers a distinct gameplay experience. While Ark often emphasizes multiplayer PvP gameplay, Palworld currently focuses on solo or cooperative exploration and experimentation on the Palpagos Islands.
With a whopping 111 different Pals to collect, a wide variety of breeding possibilities and combinations, and a sizable map, there's plenty to keep players engaged without PvP. The success of the PvP mode, when it's eventually released, remains uncertain. However, recent updates, datamined leaks, and developer interviews provide some insight into what players can expect in the future of this creature-collecting game.
A Recent Datamine Hinted Toward Capturing Other People's Pals
Have Your Favorite Pal Stolen
A recent datamine of Palworld uncovered a new item called the Radar Sphere, capable of capturing Pals even if they already belong to another player. The latest update patch notes for versions v0.1.4.0 and v0.1.1.3 addressed an issue where Pals with low health from other players could be captured using a sphere.
While it's widely known that humanoid NPCs can be captured in Palworld, capturing a friend's Pal isn't something many players have attempted. While this issue may not have been significant in the single-player campaign, it could have caused unintentional problems on co-op servers before being rectified in the patch update. However, intentionally implementing such a feature could potentially create chaos in servers as players vie to protect and recapture their favorite Pals.
An Interview With Palworld CEO Sheds Like On PvP
What The Future Of Palworld PvP Might Look Like
According to an interview with PocketPair's CEO Takuro Mizobe (via Automation), implementing PvP in Palworld presents a significant challenge for developers. Mizobe acknowledges that integrating PvP elements into a primarily PvE game like Palworld is complex, particularly because core mechanics such as numerous fast-travel points aren't well-suited to a PvP environment.
Mizobe reveals that there are several ideas under consideration for Palworld PvP, with many focusing on battles between Pals, reminiscent of Pokémon. However, there are differences, as in Pokémon, trainers (or Tamers in Palworld) don't directly influence battles but instead use their creatures to execute attacks. Mizobe expresses uncertainty about whether PvP battles should take place in an arena format or occur freely in the game world.
It's Unlikely Palworld PvP Will Be Like Ark
Don't Have To Worry About A Base Raid
As it stands, Mizobe, who possesses a deep understanding of PvP-focused survival games like Rust and Ark, doesn't seem inclined to steer Palworld in that direction anytime soon — and that's likely a positive outcome. While the exact direction of Palworld's PvP remains unclear, Mizobe has admitted uncertainty about whether it will feature real-time battles or asynchronous ones, without mentioning mechanics like base raiding found in popular survival titles today.
For many players, this news may come as a relief, as the idea of defending against a large clan's onslaught with a farm of low-level Pals might not be appealing. Open-world PvP settings often breed toxicity as players compete for resources, including Legendary Pals in this case. However, a game mode that encourages and permits such PvP could offer an intriguing twist, fundamentally altering the game's atmosphere and core gameplay.
Palworld Players Don't Have To Worry For Now
Dedicated Servers Are Rare
Without a public server list like in Rust or Ark: Survival Evolved, concerns about Pal theft are unfounded. Presently, setting up dedicated servers is feasible, but they're limited to cooperative play, and there's no public server list. Instead, players must share invite codes manually to join multiplayer servers.
However, the recent Palworld roadmap for 2024 outlines plans for a PvP mode, which may face reduced popularity without a server list. Adding such a list could unlock various game settings and modes, particularly when PvP is officially introduced. In games like Rust and Ark, communities thrive around specific servers, often with customized mods. If Palworld implements a public server list with ample customization options, the potential for diverse gameplay experiences is vast.
Mizobe acknowledges the PvP mode's chance of success as less than 10%. Nevertheless, careful consideration has gone into its development, minimizing the risk of negatively impacting the game. Moreover, players can always revert to single-player or cooperative modes if PvP doesn't meet expectations. Conversely, if well-executed, PvP could attract a new audience of Palworld players exclusively interested in competitive gameplay.
