Pocketpair has confirmed Palworld’s 1.0 release date at Summer Game Fest 2026. The creature-collecting survival hit leaves early access on July 10, 2026, bringing the long-awaited World Tree region, new Pals, and a deeper narrative to PS5, Xbox, and PC.
Palworld will leave early access and launch version 1.0 on July 10, 2026. Developer Pocketpair officially confirmed the date during Summer Game Fest 2026 alongside a brand-new cinematic trailer showcasing uncharted territories, undiscovered Pals, and story fragments hinting at the truth behind the Palpagos Islands. Since its early access debut in January 2024, the open-world survival crafting game has attracted over 32 million players across all platforms and peaked at 2,101,867 concurrent users on Steam alone.
Which Platforms Will Palworld 1.0 Launch On?
The full release will be available simultaneously on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, and PC via Steam and Microsoft Store. Palworld originally entered early access on January 19, 2024 for Xbox and PC, with the PlayStation 5 version following on September 24, 2024. Crossplay across all platforms was added in March 2025 with update 0.5.0, meaning players on different systems can join the same servers.
Xbox Game Pass subscribers have had access to Palworld since its early access launch. Whether that arrangement continues post-1.0 has not been separately addressed, but the game remains listed on the service as of June 2026.
What Is Coming in the 1.0 Update?
Pocketpair has described version 1.0 as “the biggest update ever” for Palworld. The Summer Game Fest cinematic trailer revealed new Pals, new regions, and an ominous new threat, all centered around the long-awaited World Tree. Communications director John “Bucky” Buckley confirmed on social media: “Get ready to finally figure out what is going on with that big tree!”
The World Tree has been visible on the northwest horizon of the Palpagos map since launch but blocked by an impassable red barrier. With 1.0, this area becomes fully explorable. Players expect it to contain high-level enemies, powerful bosses, hidden lore about the origins of Pals, new crafting materials, and potentially the final story missions that serve as the game’s true ending.
New Pals and Map Expansion
Every major Palworld update has introduced new creatures, and 1.0 will be no exception. During the second anniversary celebration in January 2026, Pocketpair teased concept art for several upcoming Pals. Among the standout designs were an Electric-type lion cub, a fish capable of separating its head to attack with a bladed spinal cord, and a colossal whale Pal that dwarfs the player character. The whale was shown heading directly toward the World Tree, fueling speculation that it may serve as a raid trigger or a major boss encounter.
Previous updates like Sakurajima and Feybreak Island significantly expanded the Palpagos archipelago. The 1.0 release is expected to add at least one new major region around the World Tree. New Pals typically bring fresh abilities, work skills, and combat strategies, which could reshape how players build their teams and run their bases.
Steam Discount Before Full Launch
To celebrate the upcoming full release, Palworld is currently on sale for 25% off on Steam. Pocketpair’s official announcement calls it “the perfect opportunity to start your journey in the Palpagos Islands at the best price before the massive update arrives on July 10.” The standard price is $29.99 USD, bringing the discounted price to approximately $22.49. The game’s Steam page had previously noted that pricing may increase at or near full release.
Palworld’s Record-Breaking Early Access Journey
Few games in early access history have matched Palworld’s explosive debut. The game sold one million copies in its first eight hours and crossed two million within 24 hours. By day six, that number had reached eight million. On January 27, 2024, Palworld hit a staggering 2,101,867 concurrent players on Steam, making it only the second game in Steam history to surpass two million simultaneous users (after PUBG: Battlegrounds). It also became the paid game with the highest concurrent player peak ever recorded on the platform, surpassing Cyberpunk 2077 and Elden Ring.
Across all platforms including Steam, Xbox, and PlayStation 5, Palworld had attracted over 32 million players as of February 2025. Microsoft confirmed it was the most-played third-party release in Xbox Game Pass history, peaking at nearly three million daily active players on the Xbox ecosystem alone.
The Nintendo Patent Lawsuit
Palworld’s creature designs drew comparisons to Pokémon from the start, and on September 18, 2024, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company filed a patent infringement lawsuit against Pocketpair in Tokyo District Court. In December 2024, Nintendo filed additional patents in the United States to extend the legal challenge. However, by February 2025, only one of the 23 US patent filings was approved while the rest were rejected. Despite the ongoing litigation, Pocketpair has continued full-speed development toward 1.0.
PC System Requirements
| Component | Minimum | Recommended |
|---|---|---|
| CPU | Intel Core i5-3570K | Intel Core i9-9900K |
| RAM | 16 GB | 32 GB |
| GPU | GeForce GTX 1050 (2 GB) | GeForce RTX 2070 (8 GB) |
| Storage | 40 GB (SSD required) | 40 GB (SSD required) |
| OS | Windows 10 64-bit | Windows 10 64-bit |
Minimum specs should deliver around 30 FPS at 1080p on low settings. The recommended configuration targets a smooth 60 FPS at 1080p with medium-to-high visual quality. For 4K gameplay at high settings, players will likely need at least an RTX 3080 or equivalent and 32 GB of RAM. Whether the 1.0 update will change these requirements has not yet been confirmed.
What Happens After 1.0?
Pocketpair has made it clear that 1.0 is a milestone, not an ending. “While the World Tree will mark the conclusion of this particular journey, it’s by no means the end of Palworld,” Buckley stated last year. The studio’s publishing head has also said he “wouldn’t rule out a Palworld 2.0,” suggesting the game could continue to receive substantial post-launch content. Additionally, spin-off projects including “Palfarm” and a dating sim titled “Palworld: More Than Just Pals” have been mentioned, though details remain scarce.
Palworld 1.0 won’t force existing players to start a new save, though Pocketpair has “softly recommended” doing so to experience the full scope of the update from scratch. An underwater update, however, has been definitively ruled out, with the team’s lead stating: “Make your peace with that.”
Key Details at a Glance
- Full release date: July 10, 2026
- Platforms: PS5, Xbox Series X/S, Xbox One, PC (Steam and Microsoft Store)
- Major new content: World Tree region, new Pals, expanded story, new bosses
- Current discount: 25% off on Steam (limited time)
- Standard price: $29.99 USD
- Total players (as of Feb 2025): Over 32 million across all platforms
- Steam all-time peak: 2,101,867 concurrent players
After more than two years of updates, community feedback, and record-breaking player numbers, Palworld is set to shed its early access label on July 10. Whether you are returning to the Palpagos Islands or setting foot there for the first time, the full 1.0 launch promises the deepest and most complete version of Pocketpair’s creature-collecting survival phenomenon yet.
