Summary
Pocketpair’s open-world animal-collecting adventure gamePalworldhas caught the attention of animal rights organization PETA due to its apparent cruelty toward animals. Prior to release,Palworldwas marketed as “Pokemonwith guns,” and as such, it doesn’t really hold back on the pixelated violence, even against the eponymous Pals that populate the game world.
However, the cuteness of the Pals has caused some players to feel particularly bad about killing them, as evidenced by occasional posts on social media. Of course, one of the central gameplay mechanics inPalworldis base building and crafting items, much of which requires loot that drops from Pals. These valuable goodies can be obtained inPalworldby capturing Pals with a Pal Sphereor by sticking them in a Ranch, where they freely drop items as they roam around. But loot can also be collected more quickly and cheaply by simply slaughtering the wild Pals inhabiting the world.
It’s not only a few players who are having a hard time with possibly mistreating Pals. PETA, the People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals, got in touch withInsider Gamingand hinted that it may be creating a vegan guide for “Palworldfans who have no interest in eating Pals… It’s ‘Veganuary’ after all.” This wouldn’t be the first time the animal rights organization has stepped in to help gamers out.PETA created a vegan guide forAnimal Crossing: New Horizonsplayerswhen that game released in March 2020.
PETA’s Statement on Palworld
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.
It’s worth noting that the statement from PETA seems concerned only with eating Pals, even though there are a few other potentially distasteful activities available to do inPalworld.In addition to the aforementioned slaughter of Pals, captured animals are put to work in what essentially amount to unpaid labor camps, with their only recompense being a fluffy bed and some grub. Furthermore, evenhuman NPCs can be captured inPalworldin the same manner as animals.
The notable silence in PETA’s statement somewhat echoes a contradiction found withinPalworlditself. Players can freely run about taking down wild Pals, complete with sad death cries, as much as they want. But killing captured Pals is apparently too brutal to see. At level 12, it’s possible to learn to craft the Meat Cleaver to butcher domesticated Pals, but the animation is pixelated. It’s also much kinder toget rid of captured Pals inPalworldby selling them to a merchant, where it can go on to enjoy a hopefully happy life.
Palworld
WHERE TO PLAY
In this game, you can peacefully live alongside mysterious creatures known as Pals or risk your life to drive off a ruthless poaching syndicate. Pals can be used to fight and breed, or they can be made to work on farms or factories. You can even sell them or eat them.Survival: In a harsh environment where food is scarce and vicious poachers roam, danger waits around every corner. To survive, you must tread carefully and make difficult choices…even if that means eating your own Pals when the time comes.Mounts & Exploration: Pals can be mounted to traverse the land, sea and sky—allowing you to traverse all kinds of environment as you explore the world.Collect all kinds of exciting Pals to fight, farm, build, and work for you in this completely new multiplayer, open world survival and crafting game!
