Should Palworld players wipe saves for 1.0? Pocketpair answers
You do not need to wipe your Palworld save for the 1.0 update, but Pocketpair strongly recommends starting fresh. Communications director John "Bucky" Buckley said existing saves will still work when version 1.0 goes live, though large mechanical overhauls and new content mean a new character will likely deliver the best experience. The Palworld release date is targeted for around 12:30pm JST on July 10, 2026, though the studio warns that timing remains approximate.
Palworld's long-awaited exit from early access lands this week, and Pocketpair has spent the final days settling launch logistics, pricing, and player guidance. If you have hundreds of hours in Palpagos, the studio's official stance is clearer than ever: your progress is safe, but a fresh start is smarter. For more launch-week gaming alerts, follow our Streaming & TV Alerts coverage.
Key Takeaways
- Palworld 1.0 targets roughly 12:30pm JST on July 10, 2026, though Pocketpair warns that timing is approximate.
- Existing saves are supported; wiping data is optional but recommended for the fullest 1.0 experience.
- The game's price stays at $29.99 across platforms after launch.
- Patch notes exceed 10,000 words and nearly broke Steam's formatting limits.
- A Steam Summer Sale discount at $20.99 ends July 9, 2026.
When Is the Palworld Release Date for Version 1.0?
Pocketpair cannot lock an exact countdown, but it is aiming for around midday on July 10 in Japan—specifically 12:30pm JST. Buckley stressed in a Discord post that this is an estimate, "NOT 100% the exact launch time."
For US and UK players watching the clock, that roughly converts to 8:30pm PT and 11:30pm ET on July 9, and 4:30am UK time on July 10. Sydney players can expect about 1:30pm AEST on July 10.
Do Palworld Players Need to Wipe Their Data for 1.0?
The short answer from Pocketpair is no—but the studio's tone is more pointed than that. Buckley told players they "do not need to wipe their data for 1.0, but you should."
In a follow-up Discord message, he explained that continuing an existing save is allowed because the team respects the time players have invested. However, Buckley cited a large number of game changes, including overhauls to mechanics and new content, and said starting a new character "will give you the best experience of Palworld."
The choice ultimately rests with players. Pocketpair is not forcing a reset, which matters for veteran bases and long-running co-op worlds.
Will Palworld's Price Increase at the 1.0 Launch?
Despite earlier signals that the cost might rise at full release, Pocketpair confirmed the price will remain $29.99 on all platforms after 1.0 ships, according to Siliconera. The studio framed the decision as a thank-you after Palworld exceeded expectations, including reaching a 40 million player milestone since its January 2024 launch.
Bargain hunters still have a narrow window: the Steam Summer Sale priced the early access version at $20.99 until July 9, 2026—a 30% discount that disappears right before the milestone update.
How Massive Is the Palworld 1.0 Patch?
Scale may explain why Pocketpair nudges players toward fresh saves. Buckley said the 1.0 patch notes run to more than 10,000 words—so large that they almost did not fit on Steam, as GamesRadar+ reported.
He later posted that the team fixed the formatting "without making any compromise," teasing players with a "see you tomorrow, gamers" message on July 9. For a survival game leaving early access on PS5, Xbox Series X, and PC, that volume of documented changes underlines why a clean save could feel less disruptive than dragging early access progress forward.