Palworld Free To Play Talks Shut Down, Devs Confirm It \"Will Remain Buy-to-Play\"

Palworld Remains Buy-to-Play: Developer Quashes F2P Rumors

Following reports suggesting a potential shift to a free-to-play (F2P) or games-as-a-service (GaaS) model, Palworld developer Pocketpair has definitively stated that the game will remain a buy-to-play title. The developer issued a statement on Twitter (X) clarifying their position after an interview sparked speculation about the game's future direction.

Pocketpair acknowledged previous discussions regarding various development paths for Palworld, aiming for long-term growth and sustainability. However, they emphasized that a F2P/GaaS model is not the chosen direction. The team cited the game's original design and the significant effort required for such a conversion as key factors in their decision. They also highlighted player preferences, stating that a F2P model wasn't aligned with player desires.

The developer reiterated their commitment to creating the best possible Palworld experience, apologizing for any anxiety caused by the earlier reports. Future development will focus on enhancing the game, with the team currently exploring the possibility of adding cosmetic DLC and skins. These additions, however, will be discussed further with the community before implementation.

The team also clarified that a previously published interview with ASCII Japan, which fueled the F2P speculation, was conducted several months prior. While the CEO mentioned future content updates, including new Pals and raid bosses, the core business model remains unchanged.

Finally, a potential PS5 version of Palworld has been mentioned in a preliminary list of announcements for the Tokyo Game Show 2024 (TGS 2024). However, it's important to note that this list isn't definitive, and official confirmation is still pending.