Pocketpair Announces ‘Palworld Online,’ A New MMO Coming This Year

Palworld Online

Pocketpair

Palworld’s 1.0 launch has been nothing short of fantastic, putting up enormous numbers on Steam – which are likely just as good on console but can’t be tracked as easily. Pocketpair wants to keep that momentum rolling, announcing a new Palworld MMO: Palworld Online.

The caveat for many, however, will be that the game is on mobile. Palworld Online will be on iOS and Android some time in 2026, developed by Garena “under an official Pocketpair license.” It isn’t unusual for developers to delegate mobile projects like this to mobile-based developers as they focus on their main game, but “mobile” can make many wince.

Usually these games are targeted more toward the Asian market where the genre is more popular. But there’s nothing to say it can’t do well in the West, either.

Many will note there is already a Palworld mobile game made by Krafton, but this is different. The game will feature a new story, quests and have expanded lore. It will have MMO-style co-op play and PvE and will naturally keep series’ staples of Pal capturing and base building. It’s pitched as having a “seamless open world.”

Nothing is mentioned about a new map or Pals, however. I am also curious about microtransactions, standard on mobile, but non-existent in the main Palworld game.

Here’s what Pocketpair CEO Takura Mizobe said about the project:

“Garena has extensive experience in global publishing, localisation, and live operations for mobile games. We are pleased to work with Garena on the licensed development of Palworld Online and look forward to seeing a new Palworld experience brought to players worldwide.”

This is right after a Palworld card game was also released as the IP is expanding rapidly. Pocketpair repeatedly said it is desperate to hire up in order to keep up with the intense demands of the smash hit game.

This mobile game will not be on its plate, however. Palworld community manager Bucky had a rather funny chart to show how all these partnerships work, explaining why he’s not going to be the point person on a game like this, rather just the main game:

Garena is a developer from Singapore that has worked on dozens and dozens of mobile games for almost 15 years now, including IP like Path of Exile, League of Legends, Need for Speed and EA Sports FC.

Will Palworld Online be a big hit among Palworld players? It stands to reason that many fans of the main game may not like a mobile MMO version, but Pocketpair and Garena are counting on the idea that there will be an audience for it. We will find out later this year.

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