If you have been holding off on picking up Palworld under the assumption that the price would jump at launch, you are in luck. Developer Pocketpair has officially announced that the game will remain priced at $29.99 when it hits its 1.0 release on July 10.
For years, the game's Steam page carried a disclaimer noting that the price might increase at or closer to the official launch. This led many in the community to expect a higher price tag once the game moved out of Early Access. However, in a statement posted to social media, the studio confirmed they are keeping the original price as a small gesture of appreciation for their player base.
A Gratitude-Driven 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,” the studio stated. “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 scale of that success is hard to overstate. Since its initial Early Access launch in early 2024, the title has attracted 40 million players. The launch was so significant that Pocketpair CEO Takuro Mizobe previously remarked that the massive profits were difficult for a studio of their size to manage. This growth led to a partnership with Sony to form Palworld Entertainment, a dedicated business entity aimed at expanding the intellectual property, alongside the game's eventual release on PlayStation 5.
What to Expect in Version 1.0
While the price remains steady, the game itself is set for a massive overhaul. John “Bucky” Buckley, head of publishing and communications at Pocketpair, has teased that the 1.0 patch notes span 27 pages of changes and new additions.
Buckley addressed the question of save data in a recent Discord post, confirming that players are not forced to delete their progress. “Players can continue their existing saves if they wish, as we want to respect the time and effort you have put in,” Buckley explained. “However, due to the large number of changes to the game, including overhauls to mechanics and new content, we believe that starting a new character will give you the best experience of Palworld.”
Despite the upcoming launch, the studio continues to navigate legal waters. Following the game's breakout, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company initiated a patent-based legal battle rather than a copyright suit. The companies are seeking an injunction to block the game's release, alongside 5 million yen (approximately $30,000) in damages plus late payment fees. A judgment in that case is expected later this year.
For those looking to dive in, the 1.0 update arrives on July 10 across all platforms.