Palworld’s First Birthday: Big Updates, Bigger Controversy

The quirky monster-catching survival game, Palworld, has just blown out its first candle, and boy, has it packed its year with drama, updates, and a dash of legal intrigue. Developer Pocketpair used the occasion to unveil an ambitious roadmap for the game’s future—promising plenty for fans to chew on.

So, what’s in store? A laundry list of upgrades, starting with co-op crossplay (because catching monsters alone is so last year). Players can also look forward to world transfers for Pals, a climactic final boss, and new ways to turbocharge their adorable—or terrifying—companions. The roadmap also teases fresh content, new technologies, and collaborations, including one with Terraria. There’s even a nod to the finer details, like object placement and user interface improvements, because nothing says “we care” like a polished menu screen.

Of course, Pocketpair wasn’t too specific about when these updates will drop. For now, fans will have to enjoy the ongoing Pal popularity poll, where 180 lovable (or not-so-lovable) critters are vying for your affection.

Palworld has had quite the journey since its Early Access launch on Steam and Xbox Game Preview back in January 2024. A staggering 25 million players jumped aboard within the first month, cementing its status as a surprise hit. By September, it made its way to the PlayStation 5, expanding its reach even further.

But not everything’s sunshine and Pals. The game’s meteoric rise has attracted the ire of Nintendo and The Pokémon Company, who claim that Palworld has borrowed a little too liberally from their patented gameplay mechanics. With three patents allegedly infringed upon, Pocketpair finds itself in a legal skirmish in Japan. No word yet on how that will play out, but let’s just say Pikachu’s lawyers don’t mess around.

For now, though, fans of Palworld can focus on what they do best—catching, battling, and obsessing over their favourite Pals, while keeping an eye out for the game’s exciting updates… and any courtroom verdicts.