Palworld’s Expensive Server Maintenance Costs Could Bankrupt Pocketpair, CEO Jokes
The success of Palworld, an online game developed by Pocketpair, has come at a hefty price. According to Pocketpair CEO Takuro Mizobe, the server maintenance costs for Palworld are exorbitant and could potentially bankrupt the company. Mizobe recently joked about the situation in a tweet, sharing an image that showcases the rapidly rising costs of server maintenance. He added, “Wait, maybe they’ll go bankrupt due to server fees?” It’s clear that the financial burden of keeping Palworld’s servers running is no laughing matter.
In response to Mizobe’s tweet, Palworld’s lead network engineer, Chujo Hiroto, reassured players that the company is committed to ensuring uninterrupted service. Hiroto stated, “Following the order to never let the service go down no matter what, we have prepared servers without regard to cost. We will continue to give our all to ensure that all players can enjoy to the fullest!” The dedication to maintaining server stability is evident, as evidenced by the staggering monthly cost of $478,000.
Assuming that this figure represents the monthly cost of running Palworld’s servers, it amounts to nearly $6 million USD per year. While it’s difficult to put this number into context without prior experience in launching an online game, both Mizobe and Hiroto affirm that the expenses are indeed as high as they appear on paper. The success of Palworld has been unprecedented, surpassing popular titles like Cyberpunk 2077, Hogwarts Legacy, and Elden Ring in terms of Steam launch records. Additionally, it is rapidly approaching PUBG’s world record for highest concurrent player count. Within just two weeks of its Xbox launch, Palworld garnered a staggering 19 million players, making it the biggest third-party Xbox Game Pass launch ever.
Despite some initial challenges with server capacity during the game’s massive launch, Palworld’s servers have managed to hold steady in the weeks that followed. This stability can be attributed to Pocketpair’s directive to prioritize server stability over cost considerations. Looking ahead, Microsoft has pledged support to Pocketpair by enabling dedicated servers for the Xbox version of the game. Currently, players have the option to join official servers, host their own, or join a friend’s server. Additionally, PC players can create dedicated servers using Steam’s toolkit.
While Palworld’s success is undeniable, there are some reservations about certain aspects of the game. Sam Loveridge from GR expresses a wish that Palworld, often referred to as “Pokemon with Guns,” didn’t include firearms. This sentiment highlights the diverse opinions surrounding the game and its content.
In conclusion, Palworld’s skyrocketing server maintenance costs pose a significant financial challenge for Pocketpair. However, the company remains committed to providing an exceptional gaming experience for its millions of players. With ongoing support from Microsoft and a focus on server stability, Palworld continues to thrive as one of the most successful online games in recent history.
