Palworld Stays Buy-to-Play, Free Option Rejected by Developers

Palworld Remains Buy-to-Play: No Shift to Free-to-Play or Games-as-a-Service

In a clear and definitive statement, Palworld developer Pocketpair has put to rest any speculation about transitioning the popular creature-catcher survival game to a Free to Play (F2P) or Games-as-a-Service (GaaS) model. Following recent reports and discussions about the future of Palworld, the studio took to Twitter (X) to clarify their stance: "Regarding the Future of Palworld TL;DR – We are not changing our game’s business model, it will remain buy-to-play and not f2p or GaaS."

Palworld's Future: No F2P or GaaS, But DLC and Skins Considered

The statement was issued after an interview with ASCII Japan surfaced, where Pocketpair discussed various potential directions for Palworld. The developer emphasized that at the time of the interview, they were exploring the best ways to ensure Palworld's longevity and growth. However, they have since decided that a F2P or GaaS model is not the right fit for the game. "Palworld was never designed with that model in mind, and it would require too much work to adapt the game at this point. Additionally, we are very aware that this just isn't what our players want, and we always put our players first," the studio explained.

Pocketpair remains committed to making Palworld "the best game possible" and apologized for any concern caused by the earlier reports. They also mentioned considering future content like skins and DLC to support ongoing development, promising to discuss these plans further as they approach implementation.

Continued Updates and Future Content

In the interview with ASCII Japan, Palworld CEO Takuro Mizobe confirmed plans to update the game with new content, including new Pals and raid bosses. However, the studio clarified that this interview was conducted several months ago, and their current focus remains on the buy-to-play model.

Potential PS5 Announcement at Tokyo Game Show 2024

On another front, a PS5 version of Palworld was reportedly listed among potential announcements for the upcoming Tokyo Game Show 2024 (TGS 2024). According to news site Gematsu, this list from Japan’s Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA) is not definitive, but it hints at exciting possibilities for Palworld fans.

Pocketpair's dedication to their community and their clear communication about the game's direction showcase their commitment to maintaining Palworld as a high-quality, buy-to-play experience. Fans can look forward to future updates and potential expansions, all while enjoying the game in its current form.