Palworld Shatters Sales Records, Faces PETA Criticism Over 'Pals' and Alleged Animal Cruelty

Palworld, the latest release from Pocket Pair, has captured the gaming world's attention by selling over seven million copies within its first week. Surpassing even iconic titles like Counter-Strike on Steam in peak concurrent player counts, Palworld has become a sensation in the gaming community. However, its success is not without its fair share of controversies.

One contentious issue revolves around the game's creatures, known as 'Pals,' which bear a striking resemblance to Nintendo's Pokémon characters. Adding fuel to the fire are claims that artificial intelligence was used to generate these Pals. Additionally, the game has sparked a debate on 'animal cruelty,' as players are required to capture, kill, and utilise various animalistic creatures within the game.

As concerns about animal welfare in Palworld gain momentum, we sought the perspective of People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA). The organisation is well-known for its advocacy of animal rights and has been vocal on issues related to virtual depictions of animals in video games.

PETA's Vice President of Programmes, Elisa Allen, shared the organisation's stance on the matter: "PETA has already heard from many Palworld fans who have no interest in eating 'Pals' and want a vegan guide created for the game. It’s 'Veganuary' after all, and gamers want to help animals by eating vegan in their game worlds and outside."

While PETA has received feedback on in-game practices related to consuming Pals, there was no specific mention of concerns related to the controversial aspects of the game, such as setting up virtual slave labour camps and forcing Pals to work under the threat of virtual death.