Palworld 1.0 Update Window Revealed: Dev Says No Wipe Needed—But Cautions Players
Palworld’s long-awaited 1.0 update is set to roll out this week, with Pocketpair now giving a more specific target window—and advising current players on whether they should reset their save data before jumping in.
When Palworld 1.0 is expected to launch
Pocketpair says it can’t promise an exact moment, but it’s aiming to deploy Palworld 1.0 around midday in Japan on July 10. The stated target is 12:30pm Japan time.
In a Discord message, John “Bucky” Buckley—communications director and publishing manager at Pocketpair—stressed that this is an estimate rather than a guaranteed release second.
If the patch lands at approximately 12:30pm Japan time, those times translate to the following for other regions:
Palworld 1.0 global release times (approximate)
- Los Angeles: 8:30pm PT on July 9
- New York: 11:30pm ET on July 9
- London: 4:30am UK time on July 10
- Tokyo: 12:30pm Japan time on July 10
- Sydney: 1:30pm AEST on July 10
Should you wipe your Palworld save for 1.0?
Pocketpair’s guidance for existing Palworld players is clear: you do not have to delete or wipe your data to play the 1.0 update, but Buckley says you should.
In another Discord post, Buckley explained that players can keep using their current saves because the team wants to respect the time and effort spent building up characters. However, he also argued that the scale of the update is significant—citing “overhauls to mechanics” plus new content—and that starting fresh with a new character should provide the strongest overall experience.
He closed by leaving the decision to players, addressing them as “Pal Tamers.”
Quick recap: Palworld’s road from Early Access to 1.0
Palworld’s Early Access period has been described as a rollercoaster since it first launched on Steam priced at $30. It also moved straight into Xbox and PC via Game Pass in early 2024. During that run, it reportedly shattered sales and concurrent player records.
Pocketpair boss Takuro Mizobe previously said the game’s launch success was so massive that the studio couldn’t keep up with managing the enormous profits generated. Even so, Pocketpair moved quickly to capitalize on the breakout momentum, striking a deal with Sony to create a new business called Palworld Entertainment, which is responsible for growing the franchise. The game later expanded to PS5.
Legal pressure: Palworld’s Pokémon comparisons
After Palworld’s massive launch, discussions flared up comparing its Pals to Pokémon, with some players accusing Pocketpair of “ripping off” Pokémon designs.
Instead of pursuing a copyright infringement lawsuit, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company reportedly took a patent-based approach. In the initial legal filing, both companies requested 5 million yen (about $30,000) each, plus compensation for late payment damage. They also sought an injunction that would prevent Palworld from releasing. A judgement is expected later this year.
What’s coming in Palworld 1.0
Pocketpair has also teased a large patch scope for 1.0. Buckley mentioned 27 pages of changes and additions for the patch notes, indicating the update will be substantial.
