Palworld 1.0 Confirmed for 2026, PocketPair to Dedicate 2025 to Polishing and Refinement
Developer PocketPair has officially announced that Palworld will leave early access and launch its long-awaited version 1.0 in 2026. The update was shared in a video message, where the studio outlined its plans for the year ahead. Rather than focusing on frequent large content drops, PocketPair will dedicate the rest of 2025 to polishing, optimization, and refinement, ensuring that the final release delivers a stable and complete experience.
Communications Director and Publishing Manager Bucky addressed the community directly, explaining the decision to shift gears at this stage of development:
“We’ve reached a crossroads and need to decide what comes next. While we have a lot of ideas for where we want to take Palworld, we also need to start thinking about 1.0. It’s no secret that the game has quirks and jank, and we want to take the time to properly address those before releasing the game. Taking that time now to fix these problems will ultimately lead to a better game.”
According to Bucky, the winter update in 2025 will still arrive, but on a smaller scale compared to major expansions like Feybreak. PocketPair wants to be transparent that, while surprises are still planned for the player base, the development team’s primary energy is going toward laying a stronger foundation for the 1.0 milestone.
Although updates will be quieter through 2025, PocketPair stressed that the 1.0 release will be a transformative update, featuring a “truly massive amount of content.” Rather than rushing to push smaller patches, the studio believes that carefully refining existing systems and preparing for a full-scale launch will lead to a far more satisfying final product.
Bucky also revealed that the company has been expanding its activities beyond Palworld. The studio has begun supporting smaller developers through a publishing division and is conducting early research into potential new projects. However, Palworld remains the company’s central focus, particularly given its extraordinary performance since launching in early access.
Palworld debuted in January 2024 and immediately became one of the most successful games in recent history. Within weeks, it achieved record-breaking player counts on Steam and sustained popularity across platforms:
32 million players worldwide across PC and console.
2.1 million concurrent players at peak, ranking third all-time on Steam, behind only PUBG and Black Myth: Wukong.
The combination of survival mechanics, crafting, and monster taming propelled Palworld into global recognition, making it one of the most discussed gaming releases of the decade.
PocketPair’s journey has not been without obstacles. The studio is currently involved in an ongoing lawsuit with Nintendo, filed nearly a year ago for alleged patent infringement. While the case continues, PocketPair has been forced to make changes to certain aspects of Palworld’s content to address concerns raised in the litigation. Despite this, the studio maintains its commitment to its players and the development of 1.0.
PocketPair’s decision to prioritize quality, stability, and long-term sustainability over frequent short-term updates reflects a mature and deliberate approach to game development. While 2025 may feel quieter compared to previous years, the studio is confident that this strategy will culminate in a far more polished and content-rich Palworld 1.0 in 2026.
For players, the message is clear: the wait will be worth it.
Do you agree with PocketPair’s decision to slow updates in favor of a polished 1.0 release, or do you think frequent content drops are more important to keeping the community engaged?
