Palworld Reaches 40 Million Players Ahead of July 10 Version 1.0 Launch

Palworld is hitting a major milestone about two and a half years after its Early Access debut, with the game’s full version 1.0 arriving soon.

Key takeaways

• Pocketpair says Palworld has reached 40 million players ahead of version 1.0.
• Version 1.0 is scheduled for July 10, with global launch timing teased by the developer.
• The 40 million “players” count is not the same thing as total game copies sold, since Palworld is also available via subscription services.
• Pocketpair is expanding the Palworld IP through a new Sony-backed business structure and has already brought the game to PS5.
• A patent-based legal dispute is still moving through the courts, with a decision expected later in the year.
• Pocketpair says you won’t have to delete your saves for 1.0, but it recommends starting fresh for the best experience.

40 million players and what that number really means

Pocketpair reports that Palworld has surpassed 40 million players, with the developer pointing to July 10 as the date for the game’s version 1.0 release. If you’re planning to jump in on launch day, the game’s global release schedule has been highlighted for players who want to know exactly when they can play.

That 40 million milestone is about player engagement, not pure unit sales. Even though Palworld is clearly a major commercial hit—especially on Steam—it’s also offered through console subscription platforms. One example is Game Pass, where Palworld remains accessible. Microsoft even promoted the Palworld 1.0 launch as part of its July 2026 “wave one” Game Pass lineup announcement made earlier this week.

From Early Access breakout to the 1.0 transition

Palworld’s Early Access run, which began in January 2024, has been described as a major rollercoaster—one that also shattered expectations for sales and concurrent player numbers. Pocketpair boss Takuro Mizobe has said the game’s initial surge was so massive that the studio couldn’t keep up with the profits created by the breakout launch.

Even with that scale, Pocketpair moved quickly to turn the momentum into long-term growth. The studio signed a deal with Sony to set up a new company—Palworld Entertainment—whose job is to broaden the franchise. After that restructuring, Palworld was later released on PS5.

As Palworld’s popularity exploded, it also triggered a wave of public comparisons between its Pals and Pokémon. Some players accused Pocketpair of “ripping off” Pokémon designs. Rather than pursuing a copyright infringement lawsuit, Nintendo and The Pokémon Company chose a patent-focused path. In the opening filing, the two companies asked for 5 million yen (roughly $30,000) each, sought damages tied to late payment, and requested an injunction aimed at blocking Palworld’s release. A ruling is expected later this year.

Pocketpair’s message to fans and the 1.0 save-data advice

Today, Pocketpair shared a message on social media to thank Palworld fans for sticking with the game. The Japanese studio said, “Thank you all so much for your incredible support!” It added that over the last 2.5 years, Palworld has grown alongside its community.

Looking specifically at version 1.0, John “Bucky” Buckley—Pocketpair’s head of publishing and communications—has teased that the patch notes will include 27 pages of updates, including both new additions and changes. Buckley also addressed the question of save data for current players, telling them they don’t need to wipe their files for 1.0, “but you should.”

In a Discord post, Buckley explained the reasoning behind that guidance: players can keep using existing saves if they want, since Pocketpair wants to honor the time and effort already put into the game. However, he argues that the sheer volume of alterations—covering overhauls to gameplay systems plus new content—means starting a fresh character will deliver the strongest overall experience.

“We will leave that choice up to you, Pal Tamers!” Buckley concluded.