Pocketpair has just dropped news of their new dating sim, Palworld: More Than Just Pals, and this time it looks like it might actually be happening. Unlike last year’s April Fools’ prank, this announcement comes with a Steam page where the game can already be wishlisted.

🎁Lovander Body Pillow Giveaway🎁
A Palworld school romance VN?! 💕
Pal♡world! ~More Than Just Pals~

Giveaway promotion to celebrate the Steam page! 🎉https://t.co/tXgVcWyTbn

How to enter: Repost this post🔄 & Like❤ & Follow✅
Add #PalworldVN and reply or RT with the Pal you… pic.twitter.com/bxe6N7EjDy

— Palworld (@Palworld_EN) March 31, 2025

A Look Back at the April Fools’ Tease

Back on April Fools’ Day 2024, Pocketpair teased fans with the idea of a dating sim set in the quirky world of Palworld. The concept was as outrageous as it was humorous—players could befriend, romance, and even, in a rather dark twist, dismember and eat the adorable creatures known as Pals. The idea was clearly meant as a joke, and while many fans appreciated the tongue-in-cheek humor and the effort put into the concept, others couldn’t help but wish that this bizarre take on the Palworld universe was real.

Signs That It Might Be More Than Just a Gag

Fast forward to March 31 of this year, almost exactly one year after the original tease, and Pocketpair has once again announced Palworld: More Than Just Pals. The new twist? It’s no longer just a joke. The developers have set up a Steam page, and fans can already add the game to their wishlists. To drum up even more excitement, Pocketpair is running a promotion where fans can win a body pillow featuring the image of one of the game’s characters, Pal Lovander.

Fans React: Real Deal or Just Another Prank?

Despite the Steam page and the promotional giveaways, some diehard Palworld fans still suspect that this might be a continuation of the developers’ long-running April Fools’ tradition. The idea of a dating sim where players can engage in such absurd activities fits right in with Pocketpair’s history of playing with fan expectations. However, during a GDC lecture in March 2025, Pocketpair’s Publishing Manager John Buckley hinted that the project might be more than just a joke. His ambiguous comment—“totally not real, or maybe real”—has only added to the mystery, leaving fans guessing about the true nature of the game.

Navigating the World of Steam Joke Listings

It might seem odd that a joke could have its own Steam page, but Valve’s terms of service don’t explicitly ban joke listings. The Steam page for Palworld: More Than Just Pals includes screenshots and footage that were originally produced for the 2024 teaser, lending a certain level of legitimacy to the project. Although the initial page doesn’t mention a release date, the teaser video had promised the dating sim would launch on April 1, 2025. Whether that date holds or if the project takes a different path remains to be seen.

What We Know About the Game

If Palworld: More Than Just Pals turns out to be a genuine project, it promises to offer a unique twist on the dating sim genre. Players would take on the role of a transfer student at Palpagos Private Academy, where they’ll have the chance to mingle with a host of peculiar characters. So far, Pocketpair has confirmed ten characters that players can interact with:

• Katress
• Lovander
• Chillet
• Chillet Ignis
• Quivern
• Tarantriss
• Splatterina
• Nurse Saya
• At least one Black Marketeer

The game is shaping up to be a mix of quirky social interactions and wild shenanigans, true to the irreverent spirit of the Palworld series.

A Nod to the Unpredictability of Pocketpair

The potential transition of Palworld: More Than Just Pals from a playful April Fools’ concept to an actual game reflects Pocketpair’s flair for subverting expectations. For years, the developer has managed to surprise its fan base with innovative ideas and unconventional marketing stunts. By blurring the line between joke and reality, Pocketpair keeps the community guessing and engaged. Whether you see this move as a clever marketing ploy or the beginning of a new chapter in the Palworld saga, it’s clear that the studio is committed to keeping things unpredictable.

What’s Next for Fans?

For those who have been hoping to see a dating sim set in the whimsical, often bizarre world of Palworld, this announcement is enough to fuel a mix of excitement and cautious optimism. The Steam page’s existence is a tangible sign that something is brewing, even if the full details remain under wraps for now. The body pillow giveaway and hints from key figures at Pocketpair only add to the allure.

In the coming months, more information will likely emerge, clarifying whether the game will honor the original April Fools’ promise or evolve into something entirely new. Until then, fans can keep an eye on the Steam page, participate in community discussions, and maybe even set a reminder for April 1, 2025—just in case.

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Final Thoughts

Palworld: More Than Just Pals stands as a testament to the creative risk-taking that has become synonymous with Pocketpair. Whether this project ends up as a groundbreaking spin-off or another elaborate joke, it has already succeeded in sparking lively discussion within the gaming community. For fans of the series, it’s a reminder that in the world of Palworld, expect the unexpected.

Only time will tell if this quirky dating sim will turn from a fantastical prank into a full-fledged game. One thing is for sure: Pocketpair knows how to keep us on our toes, and that’s part of what makes the journey so exciting.