Palworld launches into 1.0 tomorrow, and developer Pocketpair has issued a warning to players returning after extended breaks: uninstall your mods before updating.
The monster-collecting survival game has spent over two years in early access, weathering multiple updates and a notable lawsuit from Nintendo over alleged creature design similarities. For players who haven't launched Palworld recently, mod incompatibility poses a real risk when the 1.0 patch rolls out.
Pocketpair specifically cautioned that outdated mods may conflict with the 1.0 build, potentially causing crashes, broken functionality, or corrupted saves. The studio recommends a clean slate before jumping back in. Mod creators will need time to update their work for the final release, so even popular mods may require patches.
This timing matters. Palworld has built a massive modding community on PC since launching in early access, with enthusiasts creating everything from quality-of-life tweaks to total conversion overhauls. The game's cross-platform support on Xbox and PC initially drove strong engagement, though activity has fluctuated throughout its early access window.
The 1.0 launch represents a significant milestone for Pocketpair after managing development amid the Nintendo controversy. That lawsuit drew attention but ultimately resulted in minimal damage to the studio's bottom line, according to reports. The full release should attract both returning players and newcomers curious about what the extended development cycle produced.
Players sitting on mod-heavy installations should back up their save files and disable or remove mods before updating. Official mod support through Steam Workshop should stabilize post-launch, but the early hours will likely see compatibility issues. For a game built partly on player creativity through modding, this standard precaution ensures the 1.0 transition goes smoothly.