'Palworld' has entered a clear second wave of success following its official launch. PocketPair’s Palworld transitioned to its 1 full version on the 10th, concluding approximately two and a half years of early access. Within three days, it surpassed 850k concurrent players on Steam, climbing to second place in real-time concurrent player rankings. The upward trajectory is steep: after recording 490k players on launch day, it hit 720k on the 11st and has since climbed to the 850k range. While reaching its all-time peak of 2.1 million concurrent players from its early access days may be difficult, many expect the 1 million mark to be well within reach at this rate.

The driving force behind this success is the volume of content added alongside the official launch. New regions have expanded the scope of exploration, and new Pals have joined the roster. The progression system has been significantly bolstered, and improvements to combat and building convenience have been well-received by existing users. Analysts also point to the pricing strategy as a contributing factor. While it is common for early access games to raise prices upon full release, Palworld maintained its original price. This decision to freeze the price while significantly expanding content has effectively lowered the barrier to entry.

PocketPair has not hidden its surprise at these results. Through its official X account, the developer expressed gratitude to players, stating they could not believe the Palpagos Islands were bustling with so many Pal Tamers following the official launch.

ISSUE | Today's News

■ Revenue Rankings | Princess Maker: Children of Prophecy Sees Revenue Boost Following Update

'Princess Maker: Children of Prophecy' is seeing a rise in revenue rankings following a major update. The update applied on the 29th of last month fully implemented the entire 8-year growth period and further refined the scheduling system. The number of characters available for 'clear' has increased, and the endings have become more diverse. Consequently, recent reviews have recovered to 'Overwhelmingly Positive' with a 96% approval rating. Given the game's tumultuous history—including the resignation of the entire development team and the transfer of the project—this rebound carries special significance.

NEW | Upcoming Releases & Updates

■ Release | Meow Meow Post Office

As the title suggests, 'Meow Meow Post Office' by Maracas Studio puts players in the role of a cat mail carrier tasked with packing, sorting, and delivering parcels. In this cooperative simulation for up to four players, teamwork leads to a streamlined delivery line; otherwise, the storage area becomes buried in piles of packages. At night, magic parcels get mixed in, slowly unraveling the story behind the post office. User reviews since launch have been 'Very Positive.'

■ Release | Ascend to Zero

Flyway Games' action roguelike 'Ascend to Zero' officially launched on Steam on the 13rd. The core mechanic is the ability to stop time, with a countdown timer that dictates everything from combat and growth to death from the moment a run begins. Time acts as both a resource and an enemy, and this design—which adds a time-manipulation twist to the survivor-like genre—has received a positive response. The six playable avatars offer distinct growth curves and skills, making them more than just simple cosmetic choices.

■ Early Access | Escape from the Forest: Last Train

'Escape from the Forest: Last Train' launched in early access on the 10th. It is a cooperative horror game where a prisoner trapped in a foggy forest must repair a train and gather fuel to escape from a maniacal warden. Inspired by escape-room-style games, it can be played solo, but the focus is on various forms of cooperation. The developer, Frag Lab, is a studio founded in Kyiv, Ukraine, in 2017 by veterans who worked on Warface, Crysis, and Battlefield.