The highly anticipated launch of Elden Ring is happening in just a couple of days and gamers everywhere are getting ready to sink major hours into the upcoming RPG this weekend. One Japanese company by the name of Pocket Pair is taking a slightly eccentric route and allowing their staff to take Elden Ring‘s release day off to play the new game. Additionally, employees who complete the RPG and earn the title of Elden Lord will be granted the following Monday off. Pocket Pair employees certainly have a big incentive to delve deep into Elden Ring.
It might not be so surprising to learn that Pocket Pair is a Japanese indie game developer known for titles such as Cratopia and Palworld. Gamers might remember Palworld for making headlines with its startling trailer back in January starring creatures similar to Pokémon holding guns and being forced into factory labor. Check out the interesting trailer below, filled with alternate versions of Pokémon and a large electric Totoro of sorts.
Pocket Pair CEO Takruo Mizobe sent a formal document to staff stating that employees would most likely be “unable to focus on work” on the release day of Elden Ring. Because of this, the CEO granted everyone in the company a day off.
It’s not unheard of for Japanese companies to declare a day off for major game releases. Another company did just that when Monster Hunter Rise launched last year on the Nintendo Switch. Game developers Square Enix has similarly planned its debut of Dragon Quest titles, an incredibly popular franchise in Japan, for Saturdays so children will be less likely to skip school and adults won’t feel the need to call in sick to work.
Game culture runs deep in Japan, so it’s not completely surprising that some companies would feel the need to offer a day off for a major game’s release. Especially, a game developing company.
Elden Ring will officially launch in just a couple of days on February 25, 2022, for PS4, PS5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X/S, and PC.
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