Palworld has had one of the stranger journeys in recent gaming memory. It launched into early access in January 2024, hit record-breaking concurrent player numbers on Steam almost immediately, then spent the next two-plus years navigating a high-profile legal dispute with Nintendo. Through all of that, developer Pocketpair kept updating the game. Now, the full 1.0 release is locked in for July 10, 2026, and it's shaping up to be the biggest moment in the game's history.
When does Palworld 1.0 release?
Palworld 1.0 releases on Friday, July 10, 2026. Because Pocketpair is based in Japan, that date is set in Japan Standard Time (JST). Players in parts of the United States may actually see the update go live on July 9 due to the time zone difference.
Pocketpair has not confirmed an official release time. Based on previous update rollouts, 9 AM JST has been a common window, which converts to 8 PM ET the evening before in North America. That said, treat those numbers as an estimate rather than a guarantee until Pocketpair makes an official announcement.
Palworld 1.0 launch cinematic
Release time estimates by region
What's included in the Palworld 1.0 update?
Pocketpair has confirmed the 1.0 patch notes run to 27 pages, which gives you a sense of the scale here. The full contents of those notes haven't been published in detail ahead of launch, but the sheer volume signals this is far more than a version number bump.
The 1.0 launch also coincides with the release of an official Palworld trading card game, making this a notable moment for the franchise beyond just the video game itself.
Should you start a new save for Palworld 1.0?
Here's the practical question most returning players will ask. The 1.0 update will not wipe existing save data, so your current world and Pals carry over. However, Pocketpair has advised players to start a fresh save to get the full 1.0 experience.
That's a meaningful distinction. You won't lose anything, but starting over is the intended way to see everything the update brings in context. If you've been playing since early access, a new run on 1.0 makes sense as the definitive way to experience what Pocketpair has built toward.
How has Palworld gotten here?
Early access started in January 2024. The game hit one of the highest concurrent player peaks in Steam history almost immediately, which made the subsequent Nintendo lawsuit all the more dramatic to follow. Pocketpair has since stated it won't use AI-generated content in its games, a position the studio has been vocal about publicly.
The legal situation with Nintendo appears to be moving toward resolution, with reports suggesting any payout could be relatively modest. Whatever the outcome, Pocketpair has kept developing Palworld throughout, and the 1.0 release represents the end of the early access chapter.
For players who want to dive deep before launch, the Palworld guides collection has everything from boss strategies to base management covered.
What should you do before Palworld 1.0 launches?
With roughly a week until release, here are the most useful things to do now:
- Back up your save data before the update hits, regardless of platform.
- Decide on a fresh start. Pocketpair recommends it. If you have unfinished business in your current world, wrap it up or accept you'll be leaving it behind for the new run.
- Clear your Palbox. If your Global Palbox is cluttered, now is a good time to sort it out. The guide on how to delete Pals from the Global Palbox walks through the process, including the favorite lock issue that trips up most players.
- Finish any active boss content. If you've been working toward a raid like Bellanoir, get it done before the patch. The guide on how to get and combine Bellanoir's Slab covers the full fragment farming and summoning process if you need a refresher.
Palworld 1.0 is nine days out as of today. The 27-page patch notes alone suggest Pocketpair has been holding back a significant amount for this moment. Keep an eye on the full Palworld guides hub for updated coverage as the launch details come in.