Palworld is leaving Early Access in 2026. Pocketpair says the team will spend the rest of 2025 ironing out bugs and rough edges, with a smaller winter update and a “truly massive” 1.0 patch next year. That comes via a new developer video and multiple reports today.
What Pocketpair confirmed for 2025–2026
Pocketpair’s comms lead John “Bucky” Buckley says updates will be “a little quiet” this year while the team fixes “quirks and jank.” The goal: ship Palworld 1.0 in 2026 with a large content drop. The winter update will land, but won’t match earlier milestones.
- Fewer content beats in late 2025
- Focus on bug fixes and cleanup
- Smaller winter update with “a few surprises”
- 1.0 targeted for 2026 with big new content
Pocketpair framed this as a quality move. Taking time now should mean a more stable 1.0. Other outlets echo the plan and timeline the studio set out in today’s message.
A quick look back at recent versions
The studio called out five major beats since launch. It helps set expectations for how big 1.0 might be.
- v0.2: Raids
- v0.3: Sakurajima island
- v0.4: Feybreak update
- v0.5: Crossplay
- v0.6: Terraria collaboration
Those updates show a pattern: mechanics first, then new zones, then broader systems like crossplay. If 1.0 is “massive,” expect something on the scale of a new region, systems, or both. (That’s reading the room, not a promise from Pocketpair.)
Context: legal headwinds and expectations
Palworld’s likeness to Pokémon led to legal pressure from Nintendo, with Pocketpair acknowledging game changes earlier this year. That backdrop helps explain the emphasis on cleanup and stability before 1.0.
- Ongoing litigation has already forced feature tweaks
- Crossplay and major updates still shipped in 2025
- Community should expect polish to take priority now
PC Gamer and others also report today’s “quieter” cadence as Pocketpair focuses on stability. It’s a sensible call if you want a smoother launch next year.
FAQ
When will Palworld 1.0 release?
Pocketpair is targeting 2026. There’s no exact date yet.
Will there be updates before 1.0?
Yes, but fewer. Expect a smaller winter 2025 update and general fixes while the team prepares 1.0.
What platforms will get 1.0?
Pocketpair lists PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One and PC. The game launched on Xbox/PC first, then PS5 in 2024.
