Palworld is set to leave early access and receive its full version 1.0 release in 2026, developer Pocketpair confirmed on Tuesday. The upcoming 1.0 update is currently under development and will include a major overhaul of the game. While the studio did not provide an exact release date, it shared a roadmap for Palworld’s development through the rest of 2025 and into next year in a new video announcement.
Originally launched in early access in January 2024, Palworld has steadily evolved with five significant updates. During this period, the game faced legal challenges, including a lawsuit from Nintendo over alleged similarities to Pokémon gameplay. Despite these hurdles, Pocketpair has continued to expand the game’s world, introducing new features, quality-of-life improvements, and additional Pals, keeping players engaged throughout its early access phase.
According to Pocketpair, the transition to version 1.0 will require a “cleanup” of the game. Bucky, the studio’s communications director and publishing manager, acknowledged that Palworld has “a lot of quirks and jank,” and emphasized the team’s commitment to addressing these issues thoroughly before the official release. This focus on polishing gameplay and fixing outstanding problems is intended to provide a smoother and more complete experience for players.
The 1.0 release is anticipated to mark a significant milestone for the open-world survival crafting game, solidifying its features and overall gameplay. With the early access phase coming to a close, fans can look forward to a more refined version of Palworld in 2026, offering both longtime players and newcomers a fully realized adventure.