Pickmon changes to Pickmos: a controversial name change

The open-world creature-collecting action game formerly known as Pickmon has recently changed its name to Pickmos. Developer PocketGame announced the change in an effort to better align the game’s branding with its identity and story. However, the decision has sparked a wave of negative reactions from both players and fans of the genre.

The reason behind the name change

PocketGame said the name Pickmos sounds stronger and better fits the fantasy world they want to create. The addition of the suffix “-mos” is said to refer to a “great cosmos” and a “complete ecosystem.” The developer stressed that despite the name change, the cute creatures in the game will still collectively be known as Pickmon. That has done little to ease player concerns.

Player reactions

The rebrand was announced shortly after the game’s first release on Steam, where it quickly drew attention for its similarities to the well-known Pokémon franchise. Players voiced their frustration on platforms such as YouTube, with comments like “Gotta Sue Them All” and “Lawsuit speedrun” reflecting the mood. The backlash has raised questions about the game’s originality and the developer’s creative choices.

PocketGame’s response

In response to the criticism, PocketGame said it plans to become more involved with its community. The studio promised to use player feedback when developing new features and adding designs to the game. That commitment to collaboration has not fully eased concerns, given the worries about plagiarism and the high expectations fans have for the genre.

Gameplay and design

Pickmos features gameplay elements typical of creature-collecting games, with an open world and animal collection, but the creature designs are controversial and are widely seen by users as a poor copy of existing franchise-like designs. The visual style draws parallels with familiar characters and creatures from popular titles such as Pokémon and The Legend of Zelda. Players have pointed to similar designs and shared their findings on social media, further fueling the controversy.

Pickmos currently has no specific release date, but has only confirmed that it will launch on PC via Steam. The debate over the name and design choices continues, putting pressure on player engagement and the game’s future.