Palworld Servers Cost Over $475 Million to Run for February 2024. Just Don't Call it a Pokémon Game

PC Gamer reported that Palworld server costs were almost $500K in February 2024 as the massively popular game merges elements that are similar to Fortnite, Monster Hunter, and Pokémon and has sold around 12 million copies on Steam.

Palworld video game

Palworld is Wildly Popular and Expensive to Maintain Servers

PC Gamer reported that Palworld has 19 million players, and sold about 12 million copies of the game on Steam at $30 each. According to the math, they have brought in at least $360 million in revenue so far.

PC Gamer also reported that Network engineer Chujo Hiroto was instructed to "never let the server go down" on the game.

He said:

"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! $478,000..." -Chujo Hiroto

He should have followed that up with an "Aye, aye, captain."

PC Gamer pointed out that Palworld will not be selling 12 million games a month, so the money coming in may not be able to continually sustain the high costs of maintaining the Palworld servers. There are also currently no microtransactions in Palworld. That may change down the road when examining how the game will bring in more money to offset the costs.

That may be a problem for another day. For now, let's just enjoy the game while we have it. To host more than four players in one world, it requires a Palworld dedicated server that could host up to 32 players in one single world.

(Source: PC Gamer)

Japanese Entertainment Agencies: Don't Compare Palworld to Pokémon

Dexerto reported that Japanese entertainment agencies are "advising their clients not to mention Pokémon on social media when speaking about the Palworld video game." (Source: Tokyo Sports)

Dexerto also noted that Palworld has "broken the third-party launch record on Xbox game pass." 

Not too shabby.

They report that the game is now at 20 million players a day.

Meanwhile, Pokémon might be getting a little jealous. They said on January 25, 2024 that they are "investigating any unauthorized usage of their Intellectual Property in Palworld."

See the Palworld trailer below.

RAD Soldiers Strategy Game Review for iPhone and Google Chrome

RAD Soldiers by WarChest

RAD Soldiers is a free-to-play turn-based Strategy game for both iPhone and Google Chrome.

RAD Soldiers Video Game Review

Each squad of weapon carrying fighters has a Captain, who has the power to call in air-strikes and radio down medical supplies or an item called "Less Harma Pharma" which reduces the damage taken by a soldier.

This game is perfect for the video gamer that likes strategy, and has both campaign modes and an online multiplayer mode.

Each soldier has a unique special ability that can be performed, which makes this strategy game interesting.

RAD Soldiers for iPhone

RAD Soldiers for iPhone is obviously on a smaller scale. The loading time on an iPhone 4 takes a few minutes, and if you are toggling between online multiplayer matches, the loading time can become annoying.

The other annoying thing about RAD Soldiers on iPhone is that it is easy to mispoke the screen, or for your finger poke to not register and then the move is not accepted. After having this happen a lot, it can get frustrating.

If you don't mind the load time and the mis-pokes, then play RAD on your iPhone.

RAD Soldiers for Google Chrome

RAD Soldiers for Google Chrome can be downloaded from the Google Chrome store. If you are playing in several multiplayer matches at once, it loads much quicker on Google Chrome.

There are no loading time issues (other than on boot up) for RAD on Google Chrome. It is much easier to play with a mouse than poking spaces on an iPhone screen.

Tips for Getting RAD bucks

RAD bucks are the in-game currency. There are many ways to earn RAD bucks. 

Here are some tips:

1. Add a friend from an online multiplayer match. This will get you one bonus RAD buck.
2. Win an online multiplayer match. This will get you one courtesy RAD buck.
3. Level up. Each time you level up, you get a RAD buck
4. Beat a campaign mode stage. This will get you one RAD buck.

Locked Air Drops

When playing in Campaign mode on Google Chrome, you may notice some locked crates falling from the sky. RAD gives you three keys for free. There are bonus items you would otherwise have to buy given in the locked crates. After you use up your three free keys, then you have to pay to buy more.

Expansion Maps

Expansion maps are offered in RAD in exchange for either RAD bucks or for payment in real currency. The downside to the free-to-play part is that the cheapest expansion map costs 45 RAD bucks. This means if you are saving RAD bucks, you better save them for an expansion map, since you can purchase recruits with coins, and coins can be won in online multiplayer.

Just by observation, I would like to see more cities and campaigns available to unlock, and some for only 20 something RAD bucks.

Overall Rating for RAD Soldiers

Overall, I give RAD a thumbs up for being an awesome free-to-play strategy video game for both iPhone and Google Chrome. What is even more awesome is that you can log in from either and your account is automatically synced. You can pick up from your iPhone if you want to play on the go.

As long as there is more unlockable content to work towards, then this video game will keep your attention.

Z.Love's Stamp of Approval

Resident Evil 6 Receives Poor Reviews

Resident Evil 6 Character Poster

Poor reviews are coming in for Resident Evil 6 and they are not surprising.

Capcom's Resident Evil 6 is yet another chapter for the Resident Evil franchise, but this third-person shooter does not live up to expectations set forth from its predecessors.

In Resident Evil 6, both Leon and Chris (and other new characters) come together to face the threat of mutated monsters and blood-thirsty zombies.

All too many quick-time events require you to be ready to toggle the thumb stick to free yourself from various zombies and monsters, or tap buttons to perform actions faster. And the quick-time complaint is just one of many listed below.

Many complaints with Resident Evil 6 include:

• Awkward camera angles during gameplay
• Bad Plot
• Confusing menus
• Difficult melee fighting
• Excessive cut scenes
• Too many long quick-time events
• Poor dialogue and scripted events
• Unavoidable deaths
• Wait times during co-op gameplay

Critic Review scores:
Game Informer gives RE6 (88/100); Tim Turi says "Incredible Co-op with a few kinks."
GameSpot gives RE6 4.5 out of 10; reviewer Kevin VanOrd says "...not a smart game."
Polygon gives RE6 4 out of 10 and calls the game "biohazard waste"
G4 gives RE6 2.5 out of 5; calling RE6 the "biggest misstep" of the franchise
IGN gives RE6 7.9 out of 10; Richard George says it is "bigger than ever, but not better."
1up reviewer Jose Otero says RE6  is proof of "too many compromises" and if RE6 had a motto, it would be, "Just keep moving forward to the next goal and don't stop shooting."

My take is this: If Capcom is simply making another video game so they can continue to make movies, "Stop immediately!" The Resident Evil train wreck is out of control.

The old saying is: "It is better to do one thing well, than many things just mediocre."

It is time for Capcom to go back to the roots, and re-focus on making a good gaming experience. If they can't do that, they need to stop making installments of their flagship brand.