Palworld is finally preparing to leave Early Access.
Palworld
Release Date: January 19, 2024
Genres: Shooter, Role-playing (RPG), Hack and slash/Beat 'em up, Adventure, Indie
After more than two years of updates, experiments, controversy, and huge player numbers, Pocketpair is almost ready to launch Palworld 1.0 — the biggest milestone in the survival creature-collecting game’s history so far.
TL;DR – Key Info
- Palworld 1.0 launches on Friday, July 10, 2026.
- The update marks the game’s official exit from Early Access.
- The expected launch time is around 12:30 PM JST, though timing may still shift.
- That equals around 5:30 AM CEST in Poland and Central Europe.
- Existing save data should carry over, but Pocketpair recommends starting fresh in Poland and Central Europe.
- Existing save data should carry over, but Pocketpair recommends starting fresh for the best 1.0 experience.
- The update is expected to be massive, with reports pointing to 27 pages of patch notes.
Table of Contents
When does Palworld 1.0 release?
Palworld 1.0 launches on July 10, 2026. Pocketpair confirmed that date alongside the cinematic trailer for the full release, describing it as the moment when Palworld officially exits Early Access.
This is not just another seasonal update. Version 1.0 is being positioned as the game’s full launch, with new Pals, new areas, a larger sense of progression, and long-awaited content tied to the World Tree.
Worth Knowing: Palworld first launched in Early Access in January 2024 and quickly became one of Steam’s biggest breakout hits. Its 1.0 release is the next major test for Pocketpair’s creature-survival formula.
Expected Palworld 1.0 start times
Pocketpair has confirmed the release date, but the exact rollout time should still be treated with some caution until the update is live. Current listings point to an expected launch around 12:30 PM JST on July 10, which means some players in the Americas may get access on the evening of July 9.
| Region | Time Zone | Expected Start Time |
|---|---|---|
| Japan | JST | July 10, around 12:30 PM |
| Poland / Central Europe | CEST | July 10, around 5:30 AM |
| United Kingdom | BST | July 10, around 4:30 AM |
| US East Coast | EDT | July 9, around 11:30 PM |
| US West Coast | PDT | July 9, around 8:30 PM |
| Brazil | BRT | July 10, around 12:30 AM |
| Australia East Coast | AEST | July 10, around 1:30 PM |
| New Zealand | NZST | July 10, around 3:30 PM |
Important: Treat these as expected start times, not guaranteed unlock times. Large updates can roll out in stages, and platform-specific timing may vary.
What is new in Palworld 1.0?
Pocketpair has not revealed every detail yet, but the official 1.0 trailer makes it clear that this update is much bigger than a standard content drop. The headline additions include new Pals, new regions, a new large-scale threat, and content connected to the mysterious World Tree.
The scale of the update also appears to be huge behind the scenes. Pocketpair’s team has reportedly prepared a patch-note document spanning 27 pages, which suggests that version 1.0 will include a large number of balance changes, fixes, system adjustments, and content additions.
New Pals: More creatures are coming, giving returning players new targets to capture, train, and bring into combat.
New areas: The 1.0 trailer shows fresh locations, including content connected to the long-teased World Tree.
Major overhaul: With such a large patch-note count, players should expect more than just new monsters and map space.
Do you need to start over?
No, Palworld 1.0 is not expected to wipe existing save data. Players with long-running worlds, established bases, rare Pals, and deep progression should be able to continue from their current saves.
That said, Pocketpair has recommended starting a new character to get the best experience. The reason is simple: if version 1.0 changes progression, world structure, systems, and balance in a meaningful way, a fresh start may make the new flow feel more natural than dropping into an old endgame save.
Best approach: Keep your old save if you want to protect your progress, but consider making a new world or character if you want to experience Palworld 1.0 the way Pocketpair intends.
Why this launch matters
Palworld’s road to 1.0 has been anything but quiet. The game became a Steam phenomenon shortly after release, reaching one of the highest concurrent player peaks ever recorded on the platform. It also became the subject of a patent infringement lawsuit filed by Nintendo and The Pokémon Company against Pocketpair in September 2024.
Despite that turbulence, the full launch gives Palworld a chance to reset the conversation around the game. If version 1.0 delivers meaningful new content and a smoother long-term structure, it could bring back players who left during Early Access and help Pocketpair prove that Palworld is more than a viral launch moment.
Palworld 1.0 launches on July 10, 2026, with an expected rollout around 12:30 PM JST. The update looks like a major relaunch moment, but players should wait for the live patch notes before judging exactly how much has changed.