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 officially confirmed that the game will remain a buy-to-play title.

In a recent statement on Twitter (X), the team definitively stated, "We are not changing our game’s business model; it will remain buy-to-play and not F2P or GaaS." This clarification followed an interview where the developers explored various future possibilities for the game. While acknowledging internal discussions about the game's long-term growth strategy, Pocketpair emphasized that a F2P/GaaS model is not currently viable.

The developer reassured fans that their feedback is valued and that the game's current design doesn't lend itself to an F2P conversion. They stated, "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 team apologized for any resulting concern and reiterated their commitment to making Palworld the best possible experience.

Pocketpair clarified that the interview which sparked the F2P speculation was conducted several months prior. While the CEO, Takuro Mizobe, previously hinted at future content updates including new Pals and raid bosses, the developer now confirms they are exploring the possibility of future skins and DLC to support ongoing development.

Separately, a potential PS5 version of Palworld has been listed in announcements for the upcoming Tokyo Game Show 2024 (TGS 2024). However, it's important to note that this list, published by the Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA), is not considered definitive.