Xbox Has Fumbled the Bag With Palworld

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Xbox Has Fumbled the Bag With Palworld

Highlights

  • Palworld’s irreverent spin on Pokemon’s tone with guns and harsh settings made it a breakout hit.
  • Microsoft’s exclusive launch on Xbox Game Pass led to Palworld becoming the biggest third-party launch.
  • Sony’s collaboration with Palworld Entertainment was a missed opportunity for Microsoft to expand its console brand.

As a longtime fan of Japanese role-playing games (JRPGs) and independent developers, I’ve been thrilled to witness the meteoric rise of Palworld, the irreverent take on Pokemon that has captured the hearts of gamers everywhere. The game’s unique blend of adorable creatures and harsh realities has struck a chord with audiences, making it an instant hit and a record-breaking launch for independent Japanese developer Pocketpair.

When Palworld, developed by independent Japanese studio Pocketpair, came out on Xbox and PC earlier this year, it gained significant popularity. Some call it a humorous take on “Pokemon” with guns. The game’s allure lies in the contrast between its adorable creatures reminiscent of Pokémon and the grim environment where weapons, slavery, and black markets are prevalent. This unique blend has struck a chord with players.

As a long-time gaming enthusiast and follower of the industry trends, I can’t help but be impressed by the unexpected success story of “Palworld,” the indie game developed by Pocketpair. This title wasn’t just a triumph for the small studio; it was also a significant release for Microsoft.

Microsoft Fumbled the Bag By Not Entering Into a Partnership With Palworld Entertainment

On July 10, Pocketpair announced a new collaboration with Sony Music Entertainment and Aniplex, Inc., both being subsidiaries of Sony, to form Palworld Entertainment. The goal is to broaden the reach of the Palworld intellectual property (IP) beyond video games. Details about the partnership’s output are scarce but could include merchandise, music videos, or even adaptations for other types of video games. It remains uncertain if this will result in a Palworld movie or anime, but it’s a distinct possibility.

Sony’s Collaboration With Palworld Was Surprising

As a dedicated gamer, I was taken aback when I heard about Palworld collaborating with Sony. I mean, I’ve been following this game for quite some time now, and it’s only available on Xbox consoles. So, the thought of Sony getting involved in promoting it before its PlayStation release was a bit unexpected. To be fair, Pocketpair’s community manager did drop a hint about a potential PS5 port, but that doesn’t change the fact that this is an exclusive title for now. It’s just strange to me that Sony would invest resources into expanding the media reach of a game that isn’t yet available on their platform.

The alliance between Pocketpair and Sony might not connect directly to Sony’s PlayStation branch, but it represents a significant missed chance for Xbox to team up with Palworld Entertainment initially. Microsoft, unlike Sony, doesn’t possess music or film divisions, but it could have still partnered with Pocketpair to co-create Palworld Entertainment and collaborate with external platforms such as Netflix or Amazon to expand the IP into various media forms. Microsoft has achieved significant success through similar partnerships based on its exclusive franchises, like the critically acclaimed “Fallout” TV series, making it a wise move for the company to invest in comparable projects related to “Palworld.”

The Now-Defunct Xbox Entertainment Studios Division Could’ve Made a Palworld Collab More Likely

As a passionate gamer, I can’t help but ponder over alternative paths Microsoft could have taken during the launch of Palworld with their transmedia push. One intriguing possibility, though not very likely, would be reviving Xbox Entertainment Studios. For those who might not remember, this in-house division of Microsoft Studios was all about generating interactive films and TV shows for Xbox Live. It came to life around 2012 during the early days of the Xbox One generation but sadly only survived for two short years until 2014.

Back in the day, Xbox Entertainment Studios might not have been fully appreciated, but looking back, it was a visionary move. With the gaming industry placing a significant emphasis on cross-media promotion these days, Microsoft could’ve capitalized on this trend if they had revived their film and TV division. Collaborating with Palworld Entertainment to adapt Pocketpair’s beloved IP into movies and TV shows would have been an excellent opportunity. This initiative could have brought numerous advantages for Microsoft, as it would have allowed the company to develop cross-media projects for both Palworld and its own IPs internally, rather than relying on external parties. In essence, Xbox Entertainment Studios’ revival would have empowered Microsoft to create engaging storylines that span multiple platforms, enhancing the overall gaming experience for fans.

Xbox Could’ve Promoted Palworld Like Nintendo Promotes Pokemon

As a gamer, I can imagine if Microsoft teamed up with Palworld Entertainment, I would have had an exciting opportunity. Instead of going into the specifics of how it could have been done, let me tell you this: If Microsoft had formed a partnership with Palworld, they could have claimed a piece of the profits from future Palworld media projects. In essence, Microsoft could have made Palworld an Xbox-adjacent property.

Microsoft Missed Out on an Opportunity to Grow Its Console Brand

Microsoft frequently gives the impression that there isn’t much room for growth in their portion of the console market, leading executives like Phil Spencer to downplay concerns about Xbox Series X/S sales. Nevertheless, if Microsoft overlooks chances to broaden the Xbox brand’s influence by not heavily advertising exclusive games such as Palworld, it becomes easy for critics to claim that the company isn’t putting in sufficient effort to accomplish this objective.

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2024-07-17 23:53