Palworld: Disparity Between Xbox and Microsoft Store Versions Explained

Pocketpair, the developer of Palworld, has shed light on why the Xbox and Microsoft Store versions of the game do not include all the features available in the Steam version. According to the community manager of the developer, Bucky, the studio is currently going through the Microsoft certification process, which will take additional time. Despite the developer’s efforts, these updates have to be certified before they can be released.

The developer also explained that the version numbers on Steam and Xbox may always differ due to different underlying architectures. Therefore, players should not consider them as evidence that one platform is “behind” the other.

Palworld, a new open-world survival game, has been immensely successful since its recent early access launch on Xbox and PC, as well as in Xbox Game Pass. The creative combination of survival mechanics, base building, creature collecting, and combat, often referred to as “Pokémon with guns,” has gained tremendous popularity, with the game even surpassing 1 million concurrent players, breaking records on Steam. However, players have noticed that the Xbox and Microsoft Store versions currently lack some features and fixes.

Many of us initially speculated, myself included, that this was due to an earlier version number of Palworld on Xbox. However, after joining the Pocketpair Discord server in search of information, I came across several recent posts by the community manager – Bucky, explaining the situation. He stated that version numbers between platforms can always differ because they are two different versions of the game, and the true reason for the lack of features in the Xbox version is the need to go through Microsoft’s update certification queues.

“The application was approved on Steam 2 days ago. It is in the certification queue for MS on Xbox,” Bucky wrote in response to a fan’s inquiry about the planned patch. Addressing a post about feature parity, he added, “Some of these things will take additional time… We’re really just at the mercy of certification. We’re doing everything we can to expedite this process.”

The “lack of game exit button” syndrome, among others, is not a result of an “older version”; it is a separate issue as explained in a more detailed statement. “In fact, Steam and Xbox will probably never have the same version numbers until the games become cross-play compatible because then they’ll be internally the same,” it emphasized.

Despite the disparities between the Steam and Xbox/Microsoft Store editions of the game, Pocketpair is working to quickly align these two versions. However, this involves additional time due to the update certification process by Microsoft.

Here is a list of differences between the two editions of Palworld: significantly faster crafting, 3 arrows per crafter (currently only 1), unlocking power statuettes using technological points (currently requiring ancient technology points), the ability to give the character a name, the ability to change Pal names, lack of sound effects in the Xbox/Microsoft Store version, and the absence of a game exit button.

If this situation seems familiar, it is because something similar happened with the game Conan Exiles in 2022. However, that issue was quickly resolved, so let’s hope Pocketpair can swiftly deliver the patch to Palworld on Xbox and PC in the Game Pass and Microsoft Store.

Perhaps Microsoft could intervene to help. Currently, the game has practically become an Xbox exclusive, mainly due to Xbox Game Pass. I don’t think Microsoft (or Pocketpair) expected such publicity. Microsoft could seize this opportunity to provide better support and, in return, gain exclusivity. Especially since Xbox is often criticized for lacking compelling titles (although the upcoming Xbox game list is currently looking better).

However, the most important thing is that the Palworld version on Xbox/Microsoft Store will soon be updated. Let’s hope that future patches will go through the Microsoft certification process more quickly.

Palworld is now available on Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, and PC via the Microsoft Store or Steam. It has quickly become one of the top games on Xbox and PC in 2024 and is also available on Xbox Game Pass.

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The source of the article is from the blog krama.net