Publisher Pulls Pickmos Steam Page Amid Heavy Pokémon Clone Backlash
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
Publisher Networkgo has pulled the Steam page for Pickmos following weeks of intense community backlash and accusations that the title is a blatant Pokémon clone.
The ongoing saga surrounding the monster-catching game Pickmos has taken a dramatic turn. Publisher Networkgo has officially pulled the game from Steam following weeks of intense community accusations that the title is a direct Pokémon rip-off. Players across social media and streaming platforms pointed out striking similarities in creature designs and core gameplay loops, prompting a wave of heavy criticism that quickly made the project a viral talking point.
As the backlash mounted, developer PocketGame attempted to calm the storm by announcing a sudden name change to better align with their brand identity and lore. That pivot failed to appease the community or silence the mounting scrutiny. Networkgo stepped in directly, taking over communication channels to announce their official intervention in the development process and removing the store page entirely while they reassess their next moves.
For modern players navigating digital marketplaces filled with similar titles, this situation highlights the fine line between drawing inspiration and crossing into outright imitation. Community trust is fragile, and swift pushback from players on platforms like X and Twitch can force massive pivots from publishers. As the industry watches to see if Pickmos returns with a complete overhaul, the message to developers is clear that audiences expect originality, not carbon copies.
Originally reported by Michael Cripe on IGN South Africa.
Tags: Gaming News, Steam, Pokemon, Indie Games, Controversy
Original article: IGN South Africa