Palworld Release Date & 1.0 — Early Access Timeline to the July 10, 2026 Full Launch
Palworld's release history: the January 19, 2024 Early Access launch that broke records, every major update, and the 1.0 full release on July 10, 2026 with 72 new Pals, two new zones, mutations, and an endgame overhaul — plus what's coming next on the roadmap.
Palworld Release Date & 1.0 — Early Access Timeline to the July 10, 2026 Full Launch
The short version: Palworld launched in Early Access on January 19, 2024 and became one of the fastest-selling games ever. It left Early Access on July 10, 2026 with version 1.0 — the full release added 72 new Pals, two new zones (World Tree and Sunreach), Pal mutations, an Awakening system, and a complete endgame overhaul. The game now costs $29.99 on Steam.
This guide covers the complete release timeline, what 1.0 actually added, and what's coming next.
The Release Timeline
| Milestone | Date | What happened |
|---|---|---|
| Early Access launch | January 19, 2024 | Instant phenomenon: 2M+ players in 24 hours, ~7M in a week |
| Record-breaking debut | Early 2024 | Peaked over 2.1M concurrent players on Steam (one of the top 5 peaks ever) |
| Major updates (Sakurajima, etc.) | 2024 | New islands, bosses, raid content |
| Feybreak update | Late 2024/2025 | The big expansion island with new Pals and endgame |
| Version 1.0 (full release) | July 10, 2026 | Leaves Early Access: 27 pages of patch notes, 72 new Pals, World Tree + Sunreach zones, mutations, Awakening, endgame overhaul |
People searching "palworld release date" usually mean one of two things: the Early Access date (January 19, 2024) or the 1.0 full release (July 10, 2026). Both are answered above — 1.0 is the one that matters for "the game is officially out."
Palworld 1.0 — What the Full Release Added
Version 1.0 (build 1.100.427, July 10, 2026) was the biggest single update in Palworld history. Confirmed headline features:
- 72 new Pals — the Paldeck grows dramatically at 1.0.
- Two new zones: the World Tree (a massive endgame location) and Sunreach (a new high-level region).
- Pal mutations — a new system for modifying/customizing Pals (beyond breeding).
- Awakening system — an endgame power-up mechanic for Pals.
- Endgame overhaul — the tower bosses, raid content, and endgame loop were redesigned.
- 27 pages of patch notes — quality-of-life, balance, and systems polish across the board.
The 1.0 update was a major version jump. If you ran a dedicated server, Pocketpair's notes emphasized backing up saves before updating — some community servers reported needing fresh world files after the transition. Always back up before a big patch.
What Came Before (The 2024-2025 Roadmap Highlights)
- Sakurajima Island (2024): New island, Pals, and the first major post-launch expansion.
- Feybreak Island (2024/2025): The giant snow/ice expansion — arguably the biggest pre-1.0 content drop, adding a full island and new endgame bosses.
- Palworld Online announcement (2025/2026): The Garena-partnered mobile MMORPG, separate from the main game (see platforms guide).
- Cross-platform/crossplay improvements: full crossplay between Steam, Xbox, and Game Pass was rolled out during EA.
Price History
| Version | Price |
|---|---|
| Early Access (2024-2026) | $29.99 at launch, with regional pricing |
| 1.0 (July 10, 2026) | $29.99 — no price increase at full release |
Unlike many EA games that raise prices at 1.0, Palworld kept its price. The game occasionally appears in Steam sales (unlike Factorio, Palworld does go on sale — typically 10-20% during major Steam sales).
What's Next After 1.0
Pocketpair published a post-launch roadmap for the rest of 2026:
- Free content updates throughout 2026: new Pals, bosses, weapons, buildings, and AI improvements.
- Quality-of-life pass — continued balance and UI polish.
- Some roadmap items have no release window yet and will roll out across future updates.
There's no announced paid DLC as of August 2026 — 1.0's model is free content updates, with Palworld Online (mobile) as the separate franchise expansion.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Palworld come out?
Palworld entered Early Access on January 19, 2024 (breaking concurrent-player records within days) and released fully on July 10, 2026.
When is Palworld 1.0?
1.0 already shipped — July 10, 2026. The game is no longer in Early Access.
Is Palworld still in Early Access?
No. Palworld left Early Access with version 1.0 on July 10, 2026.
What's new in Palworld 1.0?
72 new Pals, two new zones (World Tree and Sunreach), Pal mutations, the Awakening system, and a full endgame overhaul — in 27 pages of patch notes.
What's next after Palworld 1.0?
Free content updates through 2026 (new Pals, bosses, weapons, QoL). Palworld Online — a Garena-developed mobile MMORPG — launches separately in 2026.
How much does Palworld cost?
$29.99 on Steam (Windows). It's also on Xbox/Game Pass and PS5. There was no price increase at 1.0.