Pocketpair CEO Takuro Mizobe says combining different gameplay mechanics to create fresh experiences will remain central to the studio’s approach to game development. In an interview with Video Games Chronicle (VGC), Mizobe explained how ideas borrowed from different genres have shaped games such as Overdungeon, Craftopia, and Palworld. Rather than following established formulas, the developer wants to keep experimenting with combinations that can produce something distinctive.
The philosophy has become particularly important following Palworld’s enormous success. The survival game blends creature collection, crafting, exploration, combat, and automation, helping it attract a broad audience. However, Mizobe’s ambitions extend beyond its biggest hit, with Pocketpair intending to explore new ideas instead of allowing one franchise to define its entire future.
Pocketpair Wants to Keep Experimenting With Gameplay Mechanics
Speaking to Video Games Chronicle (VGC), Mizobe explained that his experience in the web and technology industries influenced how he approaches game development. He believes creative ideas can emerge when developers bring together concepts from different fields and genres rather than restricting themselves to established conventions.
Mizobe pointed to Overdungeon, Pocketpair’s card-based action game, as an early example of this philosophy. The studio later applied a similar approach to Craftopia, combining survival crafting with automation mechanics. With Palworld, Pocketpair explored how creature-based gameplay could work alongside systems commonly associated with survival and automation games.
Mizobe explained that simply combining mechanics does not automatically produce an enjoyable game. Experimentation is what helps developers discover whether those elements work together and create something players want to experience.
The approach also influenced Palworld’s automation system. Instead of relying exclusively on machines and factories, Pocketpair introduced Pals that can perform tasks around a player’s base. According to Mizobe, this adds an emotional element to automation by making creatures part of the production process.
Palworld’s Success Will Not Stop Pocketpair From Taking Risks
Mizobe’s experimental philosophy is not limited to individual gameplay systems. He wants Pocketpair to keep creating new games rather than concentrating all its development resources on Palworld.
In the VGC interview, he explained that combining ideas can help the studio develop experimental projects while also introducing Palworld to new audiences. He confirmed that the game will continue, but Pocketpair also wants to pursue new challenges and maintain the freedom to explore different concepts.
This approach is connected to Mizobe’s desire to preserve the studio’s indie identity. Although Pocketpair has grown significantly since its founding in 2015, he believes its ability to experiment without excessive outside oversight remains important to its future.
The studio’s publishing business reflects a similar philosophy. Mizobe said Pocketpair wants to help independent developers who lack experience with the business side of releasing games, sharing knowledge gained from developing and publishing its own projects.
For Pocketpair, then, success is not simply about repeating the formula that made Palworld popular. Mizobe’s comments suggest the studio wants to keep exploring combinations of mechanics, genres, and ideas that could lead to its next distinctive game.
| Platforms | Microsoft Windows |
|---|---|
| Developer | Pocketpair |
