Palworld Lead Explains Why He Considers Palfarm the Only “True Spin-Off” Among Pocketpair’s Upcoming Pal Games, Calls More Than Just Pals a “Little Goofy Thing”

Pocketpair is expanding the Palworld franchise beyond its survival game roots, but the studio does not consider every upcoming project featuring its Pals to be a traditional spin-off. John “Bucky” Buckley, head of communications and publishing at Pocketpair, has clarified that Palfarm is the only upcoming project he considers a true Palworld spin-off.

The clarification came through the official Palworld Discord server as fans discussed the franchise’s growing lineup. Pocketpair is currently working on Palfarm, the dating sim More Than Just Pals, and an MMO project, although Buckley stressed that these games should not all be classified as spin-offs.

POCKETPAIR LEAD EXPLAINS WHAT MAKES PALFARM A SPIN-OFF

Buckley explained that his definition of a spin-off is closely connected to how much a project resembles the original game.

“Most gamers will consider a spin-off to be very in-line and thematically similar to the original Palworld with some notable twist or gimmick,”

he said.

Based on that definition, Palfarm is the clear example because it retains the franchise’s characters and creatures while moving them into a farming simulation. Buckley specifically stated,

“I would only consider Palfarm the true spin-off.”

The distinction means ‘More Than Just Pals’ occupies a very different position. The upcoming dating-focused game uses Palworld characters but appears to be designed as a deliberately comedic project rather than an extension of the original gameplay formula.

Buckley described More Than Just Pals as

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“just a little goofy thing,”

despite the project receiving a proper trailer and Steam listing. He also argued that calling all the upcoming projects Palworld spin-offs would be inaccurate because they are

“fundamentally completely different.” 

Buckley also pushed back against speculation that Pocketpair has four Palworld spin-offs in development. According to his clarification, the known projects include Palfarm, More Than Just Pals, and an MMO, and Pocketpair has previously said it wants to expand the franchise further.

Regardless of the terminology, the projects show how Pocketpair is experimenting with Palworld beyond its original survival and creature-collection formula.