How Much Does Palworld Cost?

Last Updated on February 24, 2025
Written by CPA Alec Pow | Content Reviewed by CFA Alexander Popinker

The upcoming open-world monster-collecting game Palworld has generated tons of buzz, leaving many fans wondering – how much does Palworld cost? This new PC and Xbox title from developer Pocketpair offers a unique gameplay experience, but does come at a price.

This article will break down Palworld’s current cost across platforms, address whether the game is free-to-play, compare to similar titles, and provide tips for getting the best deal. Read on for a comprehensive look at Palworld’s pricing!

How Much Does Palworld Cost?

Palworld currently costs $29.99 USD across all platforms it is available on, which is the minimum price. The maximum price could potentially reach $39.99 USD or higher in the future if the developers raise the price when the game exits early access and sees a full 1.0 release.

Palworld’s upfront cost is consistent across two main platforms, but with some nuances:

What Players Pay for Palworld on PC via Steam

The standard edition of Palworld on PC is $29.99 USD on Steam. This offers complete early access to all current and future game content.

During major Steam seasonal sales events, Palworld may be discounted from 10-30%. For example, 2019 survival hit Valheim saw 50% sales in its first year.

Steam also provides refunds on pre-orders or recently purchased games if gameplay time is under 2 hours. This creates a risk-free window to try Palworld.

Table: Palworld Steam Pricing Facts

Xbox Consoles and Microsoft Store

The Xbox edition of Palworld is also $29.99 on the Microsoft Store for Xbox One and Series X/S.

One key difference – Palworld is not included in an active Xbox Game Pass subscription. It must be purchased separately even for Game Pass members.

In the future, Palworld could potentially be added to Game Pass, allowing subscribers to play at no added cost. But that perk is not available at its launch.

Launch on PlayStation and Nintendo

As of now, there are no announced plans for PlayStation or Nintendo Switch ports. The developers are focused on delivering a polished experience on Xbox and PC first.

If PlayStation and Switch versions do happen, pricing will likely still be $29.99 for baseline parity. But cross-platform support remains speculative at this stage of development.

On Steam, “Palworld” is listed at a standard price of $29.99. However, it has been seen on sale for a discounted price of $26.99, reflecting a 10% discount during promotional periods.

According to GG.deals, the lowest price for “Palworld” currently available is approximately $16.62, which represents a significant discount from its original retail price. This platform aggregates prices from various stores, making it easier for consumers to find the best deal.

The price history on IsThereAnyDeal indicates that the game has fluctuated in price, with discounts previously bringing it down to $26.99 during sales. The historical low price recorded was around $22.49, showing that consumers can often find better deals during sales events.

Additionally, Xbox Now lists “Palworld” as available for around $29.99, with various discounts available through different retailers, indicating that prices can vary based on the platform and promotional offers.

Lastly, Instant Gaming mentions that “Palworld” can be purchased starting at $2.99, although this may refer to specific promotional offers or bundles rather than the standard retail price.

Palworld and Its Pricing Status

For those unfamiliar, Palworld is an open-world survival crafting game allowing players to befriend and utilize monster-like creatures called Pals. Set across various islands, users can build, farm, fight, and explore while managing their Pal collection.

Palworld is currently available in early access for $29.99 on PC via Steam and Xbox platforms. Pocketpair has hinted at potential future price increases as the game nears its full 1.0 launch, making now a strategic time to purchase.

Is Palworld a Free-to-Play Game?

An important clarification – Palworld is not a free-to-play game. There is a mandatory $29.99 purchase cost to download and access the full Palworld experience.

Some gamers understandably assume games on Xbox Game Pass must be free-to-play. But despite potential future inclusion, Palworld currently requires purchase separately from a Game Pass membership.

You might also like our articles about the cost of PlayStation Plus, Xbox Game Pass, or Xbox 360.

Pocketpair has hinted at purely optional cosmetic microtransactions coming post-launch to fund ongoing development. But the core Palworld game will remain a paid title, not free-to-play.

Palworld’s Price Could Increase

Since Palworld remains in active development, its $29.99 early access pricing could rise:

• Comparable early access games like Valheim and Grounded increased to $40-$60 at their 1.0 full launch.
• As content expands, Pocketpair may raise Palworld’s base cost. They’ve indicated potential $39.99 pricing at version 1.0, likely in 2024 or beyond.
• However, users who purchase now would likely keep early access pricing forever, even after increases.

While not guaranteed, prospective buyers should be aware Palworld’s cost could inflate over time as the game nears completion and leaves early access.

Palworld vs Similar Titles

How does Palworld’s price compare to existing alternatives across gaming genres?

Palworld vs Mainline Pokémon Games

• Palworld’s one-time $29.99 price contrasts the Pokémon series spanning multiple $60 retail games plus $30 DLC packs.
• For fans of monster collecting games, Palworld delivers more content per dollar over a fragmented Pokémon purchase path.
• However, Pokémon offers unmatched nostalgia and brand power. Palworld must prove itself over years of post-launch support.

Palworld vs Leading Survival Crafting Titles

• ARK: Survival Evolved now costs $20-$60 depending on platform, with over 100 paid DLC expansions.
• Valheim entered early access at $20, but increased to $30 for its full 1.0 version in 2023.
• Given Palworld’s vast scope, polish, and creature variety at launch, its early access value proposition stacks up very well against its survival crafting peers.

When weighing features, polish, and future roadmaps, Palworld’s pricing stands as highly competitive within the thriving open-world survival arena.

Insider Strategies

For bargain-motivated buyers, here are expert tips on acquiring Palworld at the lowest price:

Wait for Sales, Promotions, and Bundles

• On Steam sales, expect 10-30% discounts for Palworld around seasonal events like summer and the winter holidays.
• Xbox may offer Palworld deals tied to major gaming expos or publisher promotions. Following Palworld can net exclusive price drops.
• Eventually, expect bundles pairing Palworld with other Pocketpair games for an added discount.

Leverage Regional Pricing Differences

• Palworld costs up to 20% less in some regions like Southeast Asia due to adjusted local pricing on digital platforms.
• Savvy players can engage VPNs to purchase games like Palworld at cheaper pricing in other countries. But beware risks.

Buy Early to Lock in Early Access Pricing

• Purchasing before 2024 secures the $29.99 price before any increases closer to the full launch.
• Early adopters gain exclusive access to participate in Palworld’s development process by providing feedback.
• However, waiting lets players experience the final polished product based on reviews and feedback.

Final Words

Given the vast amount of content, unique monster-raising mechanics, and developer track record, Palworld delivers engaging gameplay and polish that validate its $29.99 cost in the crowded survival crafting market.

Of course, budget-conscious gamers can wait for sales, while the Game Pass-curious may hold out for a subscription option. Regional pricing also opens cost saving avenues.

But players excited to dive into this creative new world and start filling their Paldex will find Palworld a worthy purchase at launch. Its future remains bright as the playerbase and features grow hand-in-hand!

Answers to Common Questions

How much did it cost to develop Palworld?

While exact budget numbers are not public, analysts estimate Palworld’s development costs were likely between $10-15 million given the game’s visual polish and scope. This is on par with other AA survival game productions.

Is it worth buying Palworld?

At $29.99, Palworld is absolutely worth buying for fans of survival, crafting, and monster collecting looking for a fresh experience. The pricing is fair compared to similar titles in the genre.

What is the most expensive game online?

The most expensive video game ever made based on production costs is Red Dead Redemption 2 at an estimated $540 million. Other hugely expensive titles include Star Citizen and Cyberpunk 2077. Main story Grand Theft Auto games also have budgets exceeding $265 million.