1. PS5 Version Announcement
2. Palworld's Player Base Rebounds After an Update
3. Developer's Response to Criticism

Palworld, an open-world survival crafting game, will be available for PS5 at the upcoming Tokyo Game Show 2024. This news is exciting for gamers who have been waiting since its January release on PC and Xbox.

PS5 Version Announcement

The game's developer, Pocketpair, had previously stated back in June that there were ongoing talks regarding bringing the game to PlayStation. Though a release for the Nintendo Switch version was eliminated, PlayStation users may not have to wait too long after its showcase at the Tokyo Game Show. The official release date for the PS5 version is still unknown despite its presence at the gaming event.

Palworld's Player Base Rebounds After an Update

Palworld first launched in January 2024 in early access for PC and Xbox, receiving praise for combining monster-collecting features with an open-world survival game design. Although the initial demand was quite favorable, the game lost more than 84% of its active players in its first month. However, in July, with the release of the Sakurajima update, players surged with a 700% increase in the number of concurrent players on Steam. The update included major features like a new PvP multiplayer arena, additional Pals, new Pal skills, and a new raid, all of which boosted player engagement. Despite initial struggles, Palworld had sold over 15 million copies across platforms by February 2024. The recent uptick in player activity after the Sakurajima update suggests there is a possibility of retaining its player community by offering fresh content.

Developer's Response to Criticism

Since its release, Palworld has faced criticism for its similarities to Nintendo's Pokemon series, particularly for its creature-collecting elements. No lawsuit has been filed against it by Nintendo. Pocketpair director Mizobe explained that Pokemon was certainly an inspiration, but Palworld isn't merely an illegitimate copy. The concept of the game originated from the combination of the monster collection genre with survival craft in the open world, drawing more gameplay parallels to ARK: Survival Evolved than Pokemon. Mizobe stated that impressions of the Pokémon franchise had remained with him since childhood, but Palworld establishes its own presence and identity through survival elements, multiplayer features, and crafting systems.

As Palworld prepares to hit the PS5, fans of the franchise are hoping to learn the specific date on when the title is expected to be released after it is showcased at the Tokyo Game Show 2024.