Just days before the release of Palworld Version 1.0, developer Pocketpair has announced that the game’s price will remain $29.99, reversing earlier expectations that the official launch would come with a price increase.
Since entering Early Access in January 2024, Palworld’s Steam page has stated that the game’s price “may increase at or closer to the official release,” leading many players to anticipate a higher launch price. However, Pocketpair confirmed that existing and new players will continue to pay the same price after Version 1.0 arrives on July 10, 2026.
Pocketpair says keeping the price is a thank-you to players
In a statement shared on the official Palworld X account, the studio explained that community support influenced its decision.
“After much thought, we have decided not to raise the price of Palworld following the 1.0 release and will keep it at $29.99.”
Pocketpair continued:
“We are incredibly proud of how far Palworld has come. Thanks to the amazing support of our players, it has become a success beyond our wildest dreams. As a small way of saying thank you, we’ll be keeping the price at $29.99.”
The announcement was widely welcomed by the game’s community, especially as many studios increase prices when games leave Early Access.
Palworld heads into Version 1.0 after a record-breaking run
Pocketpair recently revealed that Palworld has surpassed 40 million players since its Early Access debut, making it one of the biggest breakout successes in recent gaming history.
The survival game quickly became a global phenomenon by combining creature collecting, crafting, base building, and open-world exploration. Its popularity eventually led to the formation of Palworld Entertainment, a joint venture with Sony Music Entertainment Japan and Aniplex aimed at expanding the franchise beyond video games.
Version 1.0 is expected to be one of the game’s biggest updates yet. According to John “Bucky” Buckley, Pocketpair’s Head of Publishing and Communications, the patch notes span 27 pages, introducing major gameplay overhauls and substantial new content.
Although existing save files will remain compatible, Buckley recently advised players that beginning a fresh playthrough would provide the best experience because of the extensive changes included in the update.
Legal dispute with Nintendo continues
Despite its commercial success, Palworld remains involved in an ongoing legal dispute with Nintendo and The Pokémon Company. Rather than pursuing copyright claims, the companies filed a patent infringement lawsuit in Japan in 2024, with a decision still expected later this year.
The legal proceedings have not affected Pocketpair’s ongoing support for the game, and the developer continues preparing for what is expected to be Palworld’s largest milestone since launch.
| Platforms | Microsoft Windows |
|---|---|
| Developer | Pocketpair |
