Palworld, a unique survival game blending Pokémon-style creature catching with open-world exploration, has made a remarkable entry into the gaming world. Developed by Pocketpair, this title has achieved an impressive milestone by selling over one million copies within just eight hours of its early access launch on Steam and Xbox Series X/S.
The game’s concept, which allows players to engage in a world where they can both nurture and exploit their creatures, has evidently struck a chord with the gaming community. The developer, Pocketpair, announced this astounding sales figure on social media, emphasizing the game’s instant appeal. This success is even more notable considering Palworld’s day-one inclusion on Game Pass, allowing many to play without a direct purchase.
Currently, Palworld stands as Steam’s top-selling game, with over 350,000 players actively engaged, making it one of the most-played titles on the platform. However, this sudden influx of players has not been without its challenges. The developer has cautioned players about potential connection issues and instability due to the overwhelming early response.
Addressing the Dedicated Server Discrepancy
Amidst this success, Pocketpair faces a challenge regarding server capabilities, particularly the disparity in online co-op experiences across different platforms. While Steam users enjoy the ability to join dedicated servers with up to 32 players, Xbox and PC Game Pass players currently face limitations to 2-4 player co-op.
Pocketpair has acknowledged this issue on Palworld’s official Discord channel, expressing their desire to expand dedicated server access to Xbox but citing difficulties in negotiations. They have also confirmed that crossplay is available between Xbox and “Xbox PC” players, with plans to introduce crossplay with Steam in the future.
A Promising but Imperfect Early Access Journey
Despite these early technical issues, the game has received positive initial reactions. Zoe Delahunty-Light from Eurogamer, who claims to “adore” Palworld, notes that while the game has its shortcomings, such as underwhelming dungeons and a sparse questline, these aspects don’t significantly detract from the overall enjoyable experience.
As Palworld continues its journey in early access, anticipated to last at least a year, there is ample opportunity for the game to evolve and address its current limitations. This period will likely see enhancements and adjustments to ensure a more stable and enriched gaming experience for its rapidly growing fan base.