Palworld and No Man’s Sky need to kiss now or I’ll lose my mind
In the high-stakes world of game development, sometimes the most compelling stories aren’t found in code or graphics, but in the sparks that fly between the people behind them. Recently, a subtle, yet undeniably engaging, flirtation has been simmering between the creators of Palworld and No Man’s Sky, all sparked by a conversation about collaboration strategy.
The situation came to light when John “Bucky” Buckley, the head of publishing and communications at Pocketpair, addressed fan discussions regarding the development studio’s approach to cross-game collaborations. He revealed that many desired partnerships were rejected or scrapped due to perceived mismatches.
This exchange unexpectedly caught the eye of Hello Games, the developer behind No Man’s Sky, intensifying a flirtatious game of footsie that has been developing between the two studios’ public figures for months.
The dynamic truly took a noticeable turn when Hello Games founder Sean Murray, who has previously professed deep admiration for the Palworld and Terraria crossover content, publicly acknowledged the flirtation. Murray used a playful quote to tag Buckley with an emphatic “Bro @Bucky_cm brooooooooooo ❤️,” marking the most public acknowledgment of their ongoing romantic tension.
The flirtation began subtly. Buckley had repeatedly indicated Pocketpair’s interest in a No Man’s Sky collaboration. After Murray expressed adoration for the Palworld announcement, Buckley responded with a charged “SEAN!”, setting an immediate, electric tone for their digital exchange.
As the tension simmered, it escalated in April 2026. When Murray hinted that No Man’s Sky might join the ranks of Pokémon-likes with its upcoming creature battling update, Buckley urged him to take the next step, asking him to “email me, my man,” suggesting there could be a “FUN COLLAB IDEA.”
The digital banter continued with a playful twist. Buckley responded to Murray’s acknowledgment by quoting lyrics from Eminem’s “Stan,” a song about an adoring fan who becomes increasingly unhinged. He playfully suggested that although he had sent his intentions, the other party still hadn’t called back, echoing the theme of unrequited longing.
Murray’s reply was equally charming, quoting the song’s closing lines, suggesting that Buckley was the one he was thinking about. This lighthearted exchange underscored the playful, unspoken connection between the developers.
Whether it is a collaboration filled with Palworld-themed cosmetics for No Man’s Sky or a few No Man’s Sky creatures in a Palworld dungeon, the unspoken question remained: when will the two studios finally pull the trigger and make their shared dream a reality?
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