Palworld Crossplay Arrives Late March in Major Update

Pocketpair, the developer behind the immensely popular game Palworld, is gearing up for a significant update set to launch in late March 2025. This update promises to introduce crossplay functionality, enabling multiplayer across all platforms, along with a new feature called world transfer for Pals. While specifics remain under wraps, Pocketpair shared a promotional image on X/Twitter showcasing a group of Palworld characters engaged in combat with a formidable Pal.

John 'Bucky' Buckley, Pocketpair's Communications Director and Publishing Manager, hinted at "a few little surprises" accompanying the March update. This news is particularly exciting for the game's 32 million players who have embraced Palworld since its early access debut in January 2024. Looking ahead, Pocketpair has outlined an ambitious content roadmap for 2025, which includes not only crossplay but also an "ending scenario" and additional new content for the creature-catching survival game.

Since its launch on Steam for $30 and simultaneous inclusion in Game Pass on Xbox and PC, Palworld has shattered sales and concurrent player records. The game's overwhelming success led Pocketpair's CEO, Takuro Mizobe, to admit that the studio was unprepared for the massive profits generated. In response, Pocketpair quickly moved to expand the game's reach, striking a deal with Sony to establish Palworld Entertainment. This new venture aims to broaden the Palworld IP and bring the game to the PS5.

However, the success of Palworld has not been without challenges. Nintendo and The Pokémon Company have filed a lawsuit against Pocketpair, alleging infringement on "multiple" patent rights and seeking both an injunction and compensation for damages. In response, Pocketpair has identified the disputed patents and made adjustments to how players summon Pals in the game. The studio remains defiant, pledging to vigorously defend its position in court against Nintendo and The Pokémon Company.