The nominees for The Game Awards were announced earlier this week, and the Palworld community isn’t exactly thrilled that their favorite game didn’t make the cut.
Every year, the Game Awards roll around, sparking a flurry of debates as fans discuss which games deserved nominations and which didn’t, even though it’s largely an ad-fueled spectacle. Among this year’s notable absences is Palworld, the quirky “Pokémon meets guns” game that debuted back in January and surpassed expectations in terms of popularity. However, popularity doesn’t necessarily equate to critical acclaim. Palworld found itself overlooked entirely, failing to secure even a nomination in categories like Best Ongoing Game. This omission has left some fans feeling like their beloved title was unjustly ignored.
But what about the game’s community manager? Do they share this sentiment? As noted by PC Gamer, it seems not. John Buckley, the game’s community manager, took to Twitter to share his thoughts. “No, I don’t think Palworld was snubbed,” he tweeted. “Twitter has turned into such a banterless platform. Let’s not get overly dramatic, folks. Not every little thing is a conspiracy.” While Buckley points out the theatrics often seen among gamers and on social media, it’s unlikely a single tweet will change those dynamics anytime soon. However, he did voice a specific grievance: “That being said…Satisfactory was 1000% snubbed and I’ll be voicing that opinion ad nauseam at The Game Awards in person.” Preach, Buckley!
For now, it’s clear that developer Pocketpair has more pressing matters to address. In an unexpected turn, Nintendo filed a lawsuit against the company back in September over alleged patent infringement, a move that surprised many in the gaming community. In a recent update, Pocketpair elaborated on the specific patents in question and emphasized its commitment to defending its position through upcoming legal battles.