Palworld dev says generative AI in games is something players simply don't want

Pocket Pair, the studio behind Palworld, has come out against generative AI in games — a pointed stance as more developers start weaving the technology into their projects.

The studio's position is blunt: gamers don't want generative AI content, and Pocket Pair won't be using it. That puts them at odds with a growing number of studios experimenting with AI-generated dialogue, assets, and gameplay systems.

It's a notable statement coming from Pocket Pair specifically. Palworld became one of the fastest-selling games ever when it launched in early 2024, and the studio itself faced accusations of using AI to generate Pal designs — so this is partly a clarification of where they actually stand.

Player sentiment broadly backs the studio's view. Skepticism toward generative AI in games has been building steadily, and several high-profile studio experiments with the tech have drawn significant backlash from communities.