Pocketpair has launched Palworld version 1.0, officially taking the creature-collecting survival game out of Early Access after about 18 months. This milestone comes with two major announcements: 40 million copies sold and an ongoing patent lawsuit from Nintendo.
The 1.0 update isn’t just a minor polish. According to MegaGames’ detailed patch breakdown, the release notes cover 27 PDF pages filled with changes. These include new Pals, enhanced base-building systems, story content, balance adjustments, and quality-of-life improvements gathered during Early Access. The extensive changes show that Pocketpair views this as a substantial content release, not merely a version number update.
The 40 million sales figure is impressive for an indie studio. Palworld debuted in January 2024 priced at $29.99, now dropped to $20.99 on Steam. It reached 2 million concurrent players within its first 40 hours, breaking Steam records at that time. Keeping enough momentum to hit 40 million units by the full launch places it alongside franchises that have built their brand over decades.
The legal issues surrounding this success are serious. As games.gg reported, Nintendo’s patent infringement lawsuit against Pocketpair is still active. Nintendo filed this lawsuit in September 2024 in a Tokyo district court, focusing on specific gameplay mechanics rather than the game’s visual design. Pocketpair has disputed the claims, and no ruling has been made yet. The 1.0 launch doesn’t resolve the lawsuit — it simply means the game is out of Early Access while the case continues.
The community’s response to the lawsuit has become part of Palworld’s identity. The game currently enjoys a 95% positive rating across 175,061 Steam reviews. A notable portion of that positive sentiment is linked to anti-Nintendo feelings rather than the game itself. This creates a unique situation where Palworld’s review score sends mixed signals; while there’s genuine goodwill, not all of it is about the game.
One long-awaited feature won’t be included with 1.0 or in the future: Pocketpair confirmed in June 2026 that the underwater update is permanently canceled. The studio hasn’t shared what development priorities have taken its place, but they’ve hinted at the possibility of Palworld spin-offs in the future, without committing to any specific projects.
| Copies Sold | 40 million |
| Steam Review Score | 95% positive (175,061 reviews) |
| Current Steam Players | 358,345 |
| Current Steam Price | $20.99 |
| 1.0 Patch Notes Length | 27 PDF pages |
| Early Access Start Date | January 19, 2024 |
Community sentiment around the 1.0 launch has generally been positive, although the Nintendo lawsuit still influences how players discuss the game. One Steam reviewer put it simply: “get it to piss off Nintendo.” Another reviewer echoed this sentiment, giving a perfect score. These reviews might be outliers in tone but reflect a broader attitude among the fanbase since the lawsuit became public in late 2024.
What To Watch
- Nintendo lawsuit outcome: The Tokyo district court case doesn’t have a confirmed timeline for a ruling. If the court rules against Pocketpair, they might have to change game mechanics or face financial penalties — either scenario could impact creature-collector game design across the industry.
- Post-1.0 content roadmap: With the underwater update off the agenda, Pocketpair hasn’t revealed what major content updates will follow 1.0. Whether the studio maintains a live-service update schedule or shifts focus to spin-offs will affect how long the current player base remains engaged.
- Player retention from Early Access peak: Palworld’s 358,345 concurrent players at the 1.0 launch is strong for an indie title but a fraction of its 2024 peak. Monitoring whether the full launch helps maintain a stable player count or if interest levels off will indicate the game’s long-term commercial viability.
Sarah Chen
Sarah Chen is the Reviews and Guides Editor at Explosion.com. With a background in game design studies and 6 years of gaming journalism, Sarah brings technical insight to her reviews and creates comprehensive guides that help players get the most out of their games. She has reviewed over 200 titles across PC, PlayStation, Xbox, and Nintendo platforms. Her current obsessions include FromSoftware titles and indie roguelikes.
