Pickmos Removed from Steam Following Publisher Intervention

Just days after a controversial Pokémon imitator renamed itself to Pickmos "to better align with our brand identity," the game has been abruptly removed from Steam. This dramatic exit suggests that developer PocketGame may have faced repercussions, though the narrative is being shaped by its publisher, NetworkGo. The situation highlights the intense scrutiny surrounding shameless Palworld imitators and the risks of crossing into derivative territory in the competitive gaming market.

Official Publisher Intervention Takes Over Development

In a surprising twist, the removal appears to be the result of an internal power shift rather than a simple Valve enforcement action. NetworkGo, the publisher behind Pickmos, issued a statement on X clarifying their involvement after the store page vanished. The message indicated that Networkgo has officially intervened in the development of PocketGame's project to steer it away from controversy.

The publisher explained: "We’ve heard your feedback regarding the removal of our Steam store page and want to clear things up... We will be supervising the Pickmos team from a player’s perspective to ensure the game keeps getting better." This move suggests that the previous development direction was deemed unsustainable or legally risky by those funding the project.

Conflicting Messages on Creative Control

Prior to the publisher's announcement, conflicting signals were sent via social media. A message seemingly originating from PocketGame, posted on the same X account just before the intervention news, stated: "We are revising the game to ensure a controversy-free experience." The developer further noted that the title would return only once their publisher grants final approval.

This sequence of events has led to speculation about the root cause of the removal. While some view it as a strategic misdirection to diffuse tension by blaming "unsupervised ne'er-do-wells," others believe NetworkGo recognized the legal headaches the game was inviting. The game's design, which critics argue borrows heavily from multiple franchises, likely made its continued existence on Steam untenable without major changes.

Critics Slam 'Shameless' Design and Visual Knockoffery

The controversy surrounding Pickmos began well before this removal. PC Gamer's Lincoln Carpenter famously described the game as "shameless" in its imitation of Pokémon, noting that even Palworld—which faced a lawsuit from Nintendo—feels like a "paragon of creative integrity" by comparison. Carpenter summarized the sentiment perfectly:

"Pickmon hasn't filed the serial number off of Pokémon—it's just crossed it out with crayon."

The criticism extended beyond just the title to the game's assets and promotional material. The backlash included allegations that the studio copied homework from other major titles, including The Legend of Zelda, Overwatch, and even Palworld itself. Key points regarding the controversy include:

  • Critics argued the game was a visual knockoff rather than an original concept.
  • The developer attempted to address backlash by changing the title from "Pickmon" to "Pickmos."
  • Despite the name change, the creatures within the game were still collectively referred to as Pickmon.
  • Fans and journalists alike expressed disbelief at the boldness of such direct visual borrowing.

Studio Response Raises Questions About Awareness

The studio's reaction to allegations of stealing work from a fan artist further fueled the debate. When pressed for proof regarding trademark rights on specific designs, the team asked "Mr. Fakemon"—a subreddit dedicated to fan-made Pokémon—to provide evidence of their claims. This response has been interpreted by many as either a language barrier issue or a genuine lack of familiarity with the franchise they are mimicking.

The comment was compared to a hypothetical scenario where an editorial director tells a writer, "I will discuss this with our Art Director immediately," in response to a massive public error. Whether this was a serious misunderstanding or a calculated deflection remains unclear, but it has added a layer of absurdity to the unfolding drama.

Future of Pickmos Remains Uncertain

As of now, Pickmos is gone from Steam, though records of its existence remain on SteamDB. The game's return depends entirely on whether NetworkGo and PocketGame can navigate the legal landscape surrounding their design choices. Whether this "publisher taking over" is a true corrective measure or a temporary pause before a rebranded launch remains to be seen.

For now, the community waits to see if the adults in the room can salvage the project without further controversy. The situation serves as a stark reminder for indie developers about the fine line between inspiration and imitation in the eyes of both fans and publishers.