Pocketpair is gearing up to enhance its early-access game, Palworld, with a series of significant updates before the official launch. Among the most anticipated features is co-op cross-play, which will allow players to team up regardless of their platform. Although no specific release date has been provided, the developer has categorized improvements into "major" additions and "other enhancements" to prepare fans for what’s coming next.
In addition to cross-play, upcoming features include world transfers for Pals, new methods to empower critters, and innovative technologies for players to research. Notably, collaborations with other games are in the works, with Terraria being highlighted again. Additional tweaks will focus on improving object placement, base Pals, and overall game optimization.
The development team stated, “We’ve been updating the game since the start of Early Access, and we’ll continue to do so as we prepare for the official release!” Their roadmap reveals several key features, including:
- Co-op Crossplay
- World Transfers for Pals
- Final Boss/Ending Scenario
The last major update for Palworld was released in December 2024, introducing a new island, additional Pals, and new gameplay mechanics. The game has drawn comparisons to Pokémon, leading to speculation about potential legal issues. In September, Nintendo initiated a lawsuit against Pocketpair in Japan, claiming infringement of several patents related to gameplay mechanics. Nintendo is seeking legal actions against both Pocketpair and The Pokémon Company.
Pocketpair has disclosed that the patents in question relate to the mechanics of catching creatures with items called Pal Spheres, riding gameplay elements, and target shooting. In response to the legal issues, the developers have already removed Pal Spheres, opting for a system where Pals appear alongside players when summoned.
Despite the ongoing lawsuit, Pocketpair remains committed to delivering updates for Palworld and recently launched its earlier game, Overdungeon, on the Switch platform.
For more details on the legal situation with Nintendo, visit this article.
