Palworld Defies Odds, Scores 4 Steam Award Nominations in 2025
▼ Summary
– Palworld won four Steam Awards, including Silver for Most Played and Bronze for Top Seller, despite being a two-year-old early access game.
– The developer, Pocketpair, is working hard on Palworld’s official 1.0 release, planned for 2026, and promises news soon.
– The team is focusing on fixing bugs and adding substantial new content, similar to previous seasonal updates.
– Palworld is currently involved in an ongoing copyright lawsuit with Nintendo over mechanics perceived as imitating Pokémon.
– A specific game mechanic allowing Pals to be used as gliders was recently patched out due to the legal dispute.
The annual Steam Awards celebrate the standout titles of the past year, with Palworld achieving a remarkable feat by securing four separate nominations and medals despite its ongoing early access status. The game earned Silver in the Most Played and Most Played on Steam Deck categories, alongside Bronze for Top Seller and Best Controller Game. This recognition is particularly notable for a title that launched two years ago and continues to draw a massive player base while still in development.
In response to the community’s support, the official Palworld social media account expressed gratitude, stating, “We are working hard on the official release of Palworld, Palworld 1.0, this year!” The message concluded with a promise of “news soon,” hinting at significant announcements in the near future. The full launch has been slated for 2026, with developer Pocketpair recently stepping back from some community engagement to concentrate fully on polishing the game and resolving lingering technical issues before its official debut.
Beyond bug fixes, the team is preparing substantial new content updates. These expansions are expected to follow the pattern of previous seasonal drops, such as last year’s major winter update that introduced an entirely new island, fresh resources, and additional gameplay mechanics. This continuous stream of content has helped maintain player interest and engagement over a sustained period.
However, this period of celebration and progress is tempered by an ongoing legal challenge. Palworld remains entangled in a copyright lawsuit with Nintendo, which alleges that certain game mechanics improperly imitate elements of the Pokémon franchise. The legal pressure has already led to one specific gameplay alteration; a recent patch modified the gliding mechanic so that players must now use a dedicated glider item instead of certain Pals, though those creatures still provide passive benefits during flight.
Despite these external pressures, the development team appears focused on the positive reception from its community. Palworld’s communications director, Bucky, reflected on the journey, noting, “Two years later and we’re still humbled by our community’s endless support and kindness. Thank you so, so, so much, Palworld gamers. Not bad for a dead game!!” This sentiment underscores the team’s resilience and commitment to delivering a complete and polished experience with the upcoming version 1.0 release.
(Source: PC Gamer)
