Summary
- Palworld confirms it will remain buy-to-play, not transitioning to a free-to-play model.
- The game initially gained popularity post-launch, but its player count has decreased over time.
- Pocketpair is considering adding paid skins and DLC to support Palworld.
Palworld has confirmed that it will remain buy-to-play after recent rumors suggested that the game may move to a free-to-play business model. It seemed as though the free-to-play model was under real consideration for Palworld going forward, although Pocketpair has moved fast to confirm its stance.
Released in January 2024, Palworld was a surprise mega-hit after its launch. Many players dubbed the game "Pokemon with guns," a moniker that was naturally intriguing to gamers. Upon its launch, it amassed one of the largest peak Steam concurrent player counts, with an all-time peak of over 2.1 million players. Nobody, least of all developer Pocketpair, expected the game to take off like it did. While this momentum has naturally calmed in the months since, Palworld maintains a solid community of players, with Pocketpair continuing to release frequent content updates.
Palworld Player Creates Chocobo Racing Prototype
A Palworld player creates an impressive Chocobo racing prototype that includes multiple racetrack obstructions that Pals have to avoid.
In an interview recently published by ASCII.jp, Pocketpair CEO Takuro Mizobe confirmed that Palworld could be turned into a free-to-play live-service game. However, the studio has moved quickly to address the situation on Twitter, confirming the game will remain buy-to-play going forward. It clarified that the interview was conducted several months ago. While the developer is still determining the best path forward to make Palworld "a long-lasting game that continues to grow," it has "already decided that the F2P/GaaS approach is not suitable for us," claiming that the game was never designed to work under that model, "and it would require too much work to adapt the game at this point."
Palworld is Remaining Buy-to-Play
It was also pointed out that this model "isn't what our players want," with the studio taking a player-first approach to this decision. Although the possibility of free-to-play is out the window, Pocketpair did hint at what it plans to do to support Palworld going forward. As part of the statement, it was confirmed that Pocketpair is still considering paid Palworld skins and DLC, although nothing is imminent.
With Palworld remaining buy-to-play, it will be interesting to see what the future holds for the game. Its player count numbers are not what they were upon its massive launch, and it would likely take an enormous update to win players back in droves. There is some good news that would go a long way to helping the player count. It's rumored that Palworld could finally be coming to PlayStation 5, with it appearing on the game list for the upcoming Tokyo Game Show. PlayStation gamers have patiently waited for Palworld, and it could be the perfect way to reinvigorate the game.
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OpenCritic Reviews
- Top Critic Avg: 71 /100 Critics Rec: 58%
- Released
- January 19, 2024
- ESRB
- T For Teen Due To Violence
- Developer(s)
- Pocket Pair, Inc.
- Publisher(s)
- Pocket Pair, Inc.
- Engine
- Unreal Engine 5
- Multiplayer
- Online Multiplayer
- Cross-Platform Play
- Xbox Series X|S, pc
WHERE TO PLAY
In this game, you can peacefully live alongside mysterious creatures known as Pals or risk your life to drive off a ruthless poaching syndicate. Pals can be used to fight and breed, or they can be made to work on farms or factories. You can even sell them or eat them.
Survival: In a harsh environment where food is scarce and vicious poachers roam, danger waits around every corner. To survive, you must tread carefully and make difficult choices...even if that means eating your own Pals when the time comes.
Mounts & Exploration: Pals can be mounted to traverse the land, sea and sky—allowing you to traverse all kinds of environment as you explore the world.
Collect all kinds of exciting Pals to fight, farm, build, and work for you in this completely new multiplayer, open world survival and crafting game!
- Cross Save
- yes
- Number of Players
- 1-4 (Co-Op); 32 Players Server Limit
- Steam Deck Compatibility
- yes
- Platform(s)
- PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series S, Xbox Series X
- Genre(s)
- Open-World, Shooter, Survival
- How Long To Beat
- 36 Hours
- X|S Optimized
- Yes
- File Size Xbox Series
- 6 GB (February 2024)
