Pocketpair has put a name and a season on the next Palworld update. The studio announced on Steam that “Palworld: Side by Side” is coming in Winter 2026, and its head of publishing and communications has since confirmed that it is the v1.1 update, not a new game.

What Pocketpair has said

The Steam post gives only the season. No exact release date has been published, and the full feature list has not been revealed. Reports on the announcement say the teaser art shows three blacked out silhouettes against a neon blue and purple backdrop.

John “Bucky” Buckley, Pocketpair’s head of publishing and communications, cleared up the confusion in a post on X, writing that Palworld Side by Side is v1.1. He said he had expected the announcement to be clear, but noticed that many people read it as the reveal of a new game.

A smaller update than 1.0

Buckley also told MP1st that v1.1 is not a massive update. He said he believes players will be fairly happy with it, but the team is not ready to share specifics. Coverage of the interview adds that Pocketpair prefers to add new Pals with distinct designs and gameplay purposes instead of simply growing the roster.

That sets a clear contrast with version 1.0, which left Early Access on July 10, 2026 and added 72 new Pals along with gameplay improvements and endgame content. Anyone hoping for another content drop of that size should adjust expectations.

Fans have guessed that the silhouettes are popular characters from a community poll, but Pocketpair has not confirmed who they are, so treat that as speculation.

What it means for readers

For now, the practical takeaways are short:

  • The update is called Palworld: Side by Side and is the v1.1 release.
  • It is scheduled for Winter 2026, with no day announced.
  • It is described by the studio as modest, so do not expect a second 1.0.
  • Details are still to come, and Pocketpair has said more information is on the way.

The sources used here do not mention Canada, Canadian pricing or a platform by platform release schedule. The update is for the existing game, so players who already own Palworld should not need to buy anything new, but the studio has not published patch notes or a size for the download. Wait for an official Pocketpair post on Steam or its social channels before planning around a date.