Pocketpair's CEO, Takuro Mizobe, recently spoke with ASCII Japan about Palworld's future, specifically addressing the possibility of transitioning the game to a live service model. While no final decision has been made, Mizobe acknowledged the ongoing consideration of two paths: completing Palworld as a buy-to-play (B2P) title or pivoting to a live service (LiveOps) model.

Mizobe confirmed continued content updates, including a new map, Pals, and raid bosses. He openly discussed the financial advantages of a live service model, emphasizing its potential for increased profitability and longevity. However, he also highlighted the significant challenges inherent in such a transition, given Palworld's initial design and current B2P structure.

A key consideration is player preference. Mizobe pointed out the typical free-to-play (F2P) foundation for successful live service games, contrasting it with Palworld's existing one-time purchase model. He cited examples like PUBG and Fall Guys, emphasizing the considerable time and effort required for a successful B2P-to-F2P transition.

Mizobe also addressed alternative monetization strategies, such as ad integration. However, he dismissed this option for Palworld due to its unsuitability for PC games and the potential negative reaction from the Steam community. He concluded that the team is carefully weighing all options, prioritizing a path that both benefits the business and satisfies the player base. Palworld remains in early access, recently releasing its substantial Sakurajima update and introducing a PvP arena.