In a remarkable achievement, Palworld has reached an incredible milestone of 40 million players, just 2.5 years after its early access launch. The game, developed by Pocketpair, is set to receive its 1.0 update on July 10, marking a significant milestone in its development journey.

According to Pocketpair, the 40 million player figure does not necessarily translate to 40 million copies sold. The game is available on various platforms, including Steam, console subscription services, and even Game Pass, where Microsoft has recently announced it as part of its July 2026 wave one lineup.

The game’s massive success has been a rollercoaster ride for Pocketpair, with the developer initially struggling to handle the massive profits generated by Palworld’s launch in January 2024. Despite this, Pocketpair swiftly capitalized on the game’s success by signing a deal with Sony to form a new business called Palworld Entertainment, tasked with expanding the IP.

Palworld’s launch was met with comparisons to the popular Pokémon franchise, with some accusing Pocketpair of ‘ripping off’ Pokémon designs. However, instead of pursuing a copyright infringement lawsuit, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company opted for a patent route. In the initial lawsuit, the two companies sought 5 million yen (approximately $30,000) each, along with late payment damages and an injunction against Palworld.

Pocketpair has expressed gratitude to Palworld fans for their unwavering support, stating that the game has grown alongside its community over the past 2.5 years. As the game approaches its 1.0 update, fans can expect a significant overhaul of mechanics, new content, and 27 pages of changes and additions, according to John ‘Bucky’ Buckley, head of publishing and communications at Pocketpair.

Buckley has reassured existing Palworld players that they do not need to wipe their data for the 1.0 update, but rather choose to start anew, citing the large number of changes to the game. Players can continue their existing saves if they wish, as Pocketpair aims to respect the time and effort invested by fans.

Palworld’s 1.0 Update: What to Expect

With the 1.0 update on the horizon, Palworld fans can look forward to a plethora of changes and additions. According to Buckley, the update will feature:

• Overhauls to mechanics
• New content
• 27 pages of changes and additions

While existing players can choose to continue their saves, Pocketpair recommends starting anew to experience the game in all its updated glory.