Earlier this week, the nominations for The Game Awards were announced, and it didn’t take long for Palworld fans to express their disappointment over the game’s absence from the list.
Every year, The Game Awards stir up debates about which titles got the recognition they deserved and which were seemingly overlooked, all amidst the backdrop of what many consider simply a flashy marketing showcase. This year, a notable omission felt by the gaming community is Palworld, a fascinating blend of Pokémon-style creatures and firearms, which debuted in January. The game exceeded expectations in terms of popularity. Yet, despite its success, Palworld didn’t land a single nomination—not even in the ongoing game category—leading its fans to argue that it was unfairly snubbed.
Interestingly, not everyone shares this sentiment. PC Gamer highlighted that John Buckley, the community manager for Palworld, didn’t believe there was any unfair treatment involved. He openly stated on Twitter, “No, I don’t think Palworld was snubbed. Twitter has become such a banterless place. Stop being so overdramatic gamers. Not everything is a conspiracy.” His candid remarks about social media and gaming culture reflect a sentiment many may share: that overreactions are all too common in the community. Nonetheless, he did express a strong opinion that another game, Satisfactory, was unjustly overlooked, promising to voice his thoughts vigorously at The Game Awards.
On a broader scale, developer Pocketpair seems to have more pressing challenges right now. In September, a development unfolded when Nintendo filed a lawsuit against Pocketpair over alleged patent infringements. This legal twist was unexpected for many. Earlier this month, Pocketpair provided an update, explaining which patents are in question and affirming their intention to “continue to assert our position in this case through future legal proceedings.”
It’s a situation that adds yet another layer of complexity to the industry’s ongoing narratives and surely has Pocketpair prioritizing its focus amidst the ups and downs of awards season and legal battles alike.
