Palworld’s 1.0 Update Will Rebuild Wildlife Sanctuaries Across the Map
Palworld developer Pocketpair says the Wildlife Sanctuaries spread across the game’s world map will be rebuilt for the upcoming 1.0 update. The studio shared the news as the July 10 launch date for the full release nears, framing the changes as part of the broader overhaul players should expect when the game moves beyond its early access era.
Since Palworld entered early access in January 2024, the game has received multiple updates that brought new places to explore and new creatures (Pals) to discover. Additions during early access included Sakurajima, Feybreak Island, and islands tied to the Tides of Terraria crossover update. With version 1.0, Pocketpair is promising a much larger transformation—one that even touches a system that’s existed since the game first launched in early access.
Pocketpair also reiterated its official position on the use of generative AI in game development, and it addressed the reasoning behind that stance.
Palworld Reveals Updated Pal Wildlife Sanctuaries for 1.0 Release
Because the 1.0 update contains enough changes that Pocketpair described it as a multi-document-sized package, the studio highlighted one area players should notice immediately after logging in following July 10. In a short teaser video posted to social media, Palworld previewed updated Pal Wildlife Sanctuaries.
In the current version, Pal Sanctuaries are located on distant, rocky islands that players can reach only by swimming or flying. Pocketpair’s updated plan changes that approach: the Sanctuaries will be enclosed with barriers and patrolled by flying drones. The practical result for players is that slipping through these areas undetected may become harder once the new version arrives.
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Alongside the new access and security setup, Pocketpair says each Sanctuary will come with its own distinct ecosystem. Examples shown include a lush forest environment and a rocky hot spring. These redesigned Sanctuaries will also be stocked with uncommon and high-impact Pals for players to capture. The teaser includes appearances from Astegon, Frostallion Noct, and Shadowbeak.
Pocketpair further stated that players will be able to gather distinctive materials across the revised Sanctuaries. On top of that, the studio says there will be powerful bosses connected to these new regions, with those fights tied to the lands themselves. How much more difficult the new Sanctuaries will feel in day-to-day play remains unclear.
Palworld also shared a preview of additional changes that will roll out across the rest of the Palpagos Islands in version 1.0. The update will introduce story-driven missions and expand portions of existing areas, with more human NPCs and Pals sharing the same spaces. A separate teaser demonstrated the expected cohabitation vibe between humans and Pals, using a fishing hut and a cliff-side digging site as visible examples.
Because Palworld already launched a building-focused update in December 2025, Pocketpair’s implication is that version 1.0 will likely bring additional base-building options—new ways to develop player spaces rather than relying only on the current structure set.
With all of these changes coming in the 1.0 transition, Pocketpair clarified that players do not need to delete or wipe their existing save files ahead of time. Still, the studio asked players to consider starting a new save once version 1.0 goes live so they can experience a clean beginning. Since Pals can be moved between save files using the Global Palbox, it’s an open question how many players will actually follow Pocketpair’s suggestion to begin fresh.
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After the Sanctuary teaser trailer, Palworld followed up by teasing a future video that will walk through all the upcoming 1.0 changes. With the full release on July 10 arriving only days away, players will soon find out what additional surprises Pocketpair has planned beyond the Sanctuary updates.
