Pocketpair’s publishing head John Buckley told GamesRadar+ the studio behind Palworld does not use generative AI and has no plans to adopt it. He argued that “gamers don’t want it,” so the company will keep its art pipeline untouched. The interview followed Pocketpair’s defense against rumors that Palworld’s creatures were AI‑generated, a claim the studio denies.

Buckley noted that many developers rely on AI to shave hours from asset creation, but Pocketpair fields an in‑house art team that “likes doing stuff themselves.” He called replacing artists with algorithms “pointless,” echoing gamer backlash at recent Steam Next Fest demos where AI‑generated graphics drew criticism. He added that the team’s workflow depends on collaboration between designers and artists, a process AI cannot replicate.

The stance signals that a segment of the market—particularly Western players—will resist AI‑driven visuals for the foreseeable future. Buckley predicts a cultural clash as some regions adopt the tech faster, but until consumer sentiment shifts, studios like Pocketpair will likely stick to traditional pipelines. Pocketpair remains committed to hand‑crafted art for its upcoming releases. This approach reinforces Pocketpair’s brand identity as a creator‑focused studio.