Palworld To Leave Early Access With Version 1.0 Release In 2026, Developer Confirms

Palworld, the viral survival crafting game often described as “Pokémon with guns,” is officially on track to exit early access. Developer Pocketpair announced Tuesday that the game will receive its long-awaited version 1.0 update in 2026, marking its full release after more than two years in early access. Also Read: Sony Confirms 007 First Light Gameplay Showcase At State Of Play 2025: When And Where To Watch

Version 1.0 Release in Development

The studio, which launched Palworld in early access back in January 2024, revealed its roadmap in a new video update. Pocketpair acknowledged that while Palworld has already received five major updates, the game still needs significant “cleanup” before it can be considered complete. Also Read: NBA 2K26 Release Date, Editions, And Prices: Everything You Need To Know

“It’s no secret that Palworld has a lot of quirks and jank,” said Pocketpair’s communications director Bucky in the announcement video. “We want to take the time to properly address those before releasing the game.” Also Read: Sony Could Revive Portable Gaming With Nintendo Switch-Like PS6 Handheld

The developer confirmed that work on version 1.0 is already underway, with most of 2025 dedicated to polishing gameplay, fixing long-standing issues, and streamlining features. A smaller winter update is expected later this year, though Pocketpair made it clear it won’t be as expansive as previous ones.

A Massive Player Base Despite Controversy

Despite facing lawsuits and accusations of borrowing heavily from Pokémon, Palworld has been a commercial juggernaut. The game has surpassed 32 million players across Steam, Xbox, and PS5, according to the developer. Its popularity has been bolstered by its availability on Xbox Game Pass, as well as consistent post-launch updates that added new Pals, mechanics, and quality-of-life improvements.

However, legal troubles have forced changes. In May 2025, Pocketpair announced that it had to revise certain gameplay elements and features after Nintendo and The Pokémon Company accused it of infringing on three patents. The studio described the adjustments as “necessary” to ensure continued development and distribution.

Pocketpair’s Next Steps

While much of the studio’s focus remains on Palworld, Pocketpair also highlighted its publishing arm, Pocketpair Publishing, which launched earlier this year. The company is already collaborating with developers worldwide, recently releasing Dead Take, a horror title from Surgent Studio, on Steam.

In addition, smaller in-house teams are reportedly working on ideas for Pocketpair’s next original game, though details remain under wraps. The developer hinted that its future projects would “stay true to our roots.”

Pocketpair promised to share a sneak peek of Palworld’s 1.0 update “in the very near future.” While fans will have to wait until 2026 for the full release, the developer emphasized that the extra time will help deliver a more polished and lasting experience.