Following recent reports, Palworld developer Pocketpair has officially confirmed that the game will remain a buy-to-play title, dismissing speculation of a shift to a free-to-play (F2P) or Games-as-a-Service (GaaS) model.

Palworld Remains Buy-to-Play

Future Plans: DLC and Skins Under Consideration

In a recent Twitter (X) statement, Pocketpair clarified its position: "Palworld will remain buy-to-play and not transition to F2P or GaaS." The developer acknowledged previous discussions regarding alternative business models, stating that these conversations explored various options for the game's long-term growth and sustainability. However, the decision has been made to retain the current buy-to-play structure, as a F2P/GaaS approach isn't deemed suitable.

Pocketpair emphasized its commitment to player satisfaction, noting that a model change would require extensive work and ultimately contradict player preferences. The team apologized for any anxiety caused by earlier reports and reiterated its dedication to creating the best possible Palworld experience.

The developer also clarified that an interview with ASCII Japan, which fueled the F2P speculation, was conducted several months prior. While the CEO, Takuro Mizobe, expressed intentions to add new content, including Pals and raid bosses, the studio now confirms that future updates will likely include cosmetic DLC and skins, a decision that will be further discussed with the community.

Furthermore, rumors suggest a possible PS5 version announcement at the upcoming Tokyo Game Show 2024 (TGS 2024). However, reports from Gematsu caution that this information, sourced from the Computer Entertainment Supplier’s Association (CESA) list, is not definitively confirmed.