Pickmos: from criticism to renaming and redevelopment

The developer behind the much-discussed game Pickmon has recently changed the game’s name to Pickmos, a decision that was said to better match the game’s brand identity and lore. The change came after extensive criticism from fans, who accused the game of plagiarism. The game, which bears clear similarities to the Pokémon franchise, has now been temporarily removed from Steam, while publisher Networkgo steps in to oversee development.

The origin of the controversy

Pickmos, formerly known as Pickmon, was introduced in March 2026. Soon after the reveal, fans voiced their dissatisfaction with the many similarities to popular games such as Pokémon and Palworld. With monsters that looked strikingly similar to iconic Pokémon characters, the initial reaction to Pickmon’s trailer was widely criticized. In particular, the resemblance to well-known Pokémon such as Pikachu, Charizard, and Lucario stood out.

The name change

On April 10, 2026, developer PocketGame announced that the game would be renamed from Pickmon to Pickmos. They said the change was intended to better align with their brand identity and improve the player experience. Ironically, the creatures in the game are still known as Pickmon, which has raised questions among some players about the legal implications.

Publisher action

On April 17, 2026, publisher Networkgo decided to remove Pickmos’ Steam page. The company stated that it would actively oversee the game’s development from the player’s perspective. It also said it is working on a “controversy-free” game. Networkgo responded to player concerns and promised that the game team must take community feedback and future criticism into account.

Criticism and reactions

Reactions to the name change were largely negative. Players voiced their frustration on social media and accused the developer of lacking creativity and originality. A recurring theme in the criticism was the allegation that they had illegally used designs from fan artists.

Networkgo has also announced that it will contact the fan artists involved to investigate the allegations of design theft. Meanwhile, criticism continues to mount, and Pickmos’ future in the gaming market remains uncertain.

Despite the controversy, the developer says it remains committed to creating a unique and deep ecological world. Over the coming months, the outcome of its development path will be in the spotlight, and fans will be watching closely.

Key points:

• Pickmon, now Pickmos, got off to a rough start in the gaming community.

• The project’s future is uncertain following the recent suspension of its Steam presence.

• Networkgo says it wants to actively steer the development process to address community concerns.

The Pickmos case serves as an interesting lesson for developers about the importance of original design and the consequences of drawing too heavily from established franchises.