2 years after launch, Palworld dev tells haters to "use your time better" following criticism over card game announcement: "Go play something else"

Screenshot of a Pal in the Palworld Official Card Game reveal trailer.
(Image credit: Pocketpair / Bushiroad)

Palworld designer and Pocketpair Publishing manager John 'Bucky' Buckley is once again firing back at the haters of Pocketpair's survival game hit, telling folks that two years on from the successful early access release, "mayhaps use your time better."

Yesterday, it was revealed that Palworld is getting its own physical trading card game, launching this July. Titled the Palworld Official Card Game, it's somewhat impossible to ignore the Pokemon comparisons, but the mechanics of the game itself sound pretty different, as it involves gathering resources, as well as building bases, in addition to fighting alongside your trusty Pals.

As Bucky says, there are "more and more game releases every year," to the point that "you couldn't want for more." As such, he summarizes: "At this point if you're still ranting about a game you supposedly don't like after two years then I'm thinking it's a you problem now… Go play something else. So many incredible games!!"

There are definitely plenty of people excited about the card game, but looking around online, there are some criticisms from Pokemon fans alleging that Palworld is essentially trying to reheat The Pokemon Company's nachos, while some also suggest the resources being used on the TCG should be going towards Palworld itself, saying "the spin offs aren't necessary" when the main game "isn't even finished." With that said, Palworld's long-awaited 1.0 launch is currently set for a release sometime this year, so it shouldn't be too long before the survival game leaves early access.

"Not bad for a dead game": Palworld dev fires back at the haters as Pocketpair celebrates its Steam Best of 2025 rankings, says "we're still humbled by our community's endless support."

Catherine Lewis
Deputy News Editor

I'm GamesRadar+'s Deputy News Editor, working alongside the rest of the news team to deliver cool gaming stories that we love. After spending more hours than I can count filling The University of Sheffield's student newspaper with Pokemon and indie game content, and picking up a degree in Journalism Studies, I started my career at GAMINGbible where I worked as a journalist for over a year and a half. I then became TechRadar Gaming's news writer, where I sourced stories and wrote about all sorts of intriguing topics. In my spare time, you're sure to find me on my Nintendo Switch or PS5 playing through story-driven RPGs like Xenoblade Chronicles and Persona 5 Royal, nuzlocking old Pokemon games, or going for a Victory Royale in Fortnite.

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