''Palia'' is a

life simulation Life simulation games form a subgenre of simulation video games in which the player lives or controls one or more virtual characters (human or otherwise). Such a game can revolve around "individuals and relationships, or it could be a simulation ...

massively multiplayer online game A massively multiplayer online game (MMOG or more commonly MMO) is an online video game with a large number of players to interact in the same online game world. MMOs usually feature a huge, persistent world, persistent open world, although t ...

developed and published by Singularity 6. An

open beta The software release life cycle is the process of developing, testing, and distributing a software product (e.g., an operating system). It typically consists of several stages, such as pre-alpha, alpha, beta, and release candidate, before the fi ...

version was launched in late 2023 on

Microsoft Windows Windows is a Product lining, product line of Proprietary software, proprietary graphical user interface, graphical operating systems developed and marketed by Microsoft. It is grouped into families and subfamilies that cater to particular sec ...

and

Nintendo Switch The is a video game console developed by Nintendo and released worldwide in most regions on March 3, 2017. Released in the middle of the Eighth generation of video game consoles, eighth generation of home consoles, the Switch succeeded the ...

, and a version was launched in early 2025 on

Xbox Series X and S The Xbox Series X and Xbox Series S are the fourth generation of consoles in the Xbox series, succeeding the previous generation's Xbox One. Released on November 10, 2020, the higher-end Xbox Series X and lower-end Xbox Series S are part o ...

as well as the

PlayStation 5 The PlayStation 5 (PS5) is a home video game console developed by Sony Interactive Entertainment. It was announced as the successor to the PlayStation 4 in April 2019, was launched on November 12, 2020, in Australia, Japan, New Zealand, North ...

Gameplay

Players work to become a member of the Kilima Village by gathering and crafting materials. Player skills include fishing, foraging, hunting, mining, insect catching, cooking, furniture making, and gardening. Kilima is the hub area and Bahari Bay with higher leveled resources and server wide events happen based the day/night rotation. In May 2025, the Elderwood update introduced a new forest region with new quests, unique materials, creatures, expanding the game's exploration and crafting opportunities.

Setting

The player characters are humans who have suddenly arrived in the world of the Majiri, and join their villages.

Development

''Palia'' is being developed by

Los Angeles Los Angeles, often referred to by its initials L.A., is the List of municipalities in California, most populous city in the U.S. state of California, and the commercial, Financial District, Los Angeles, financial, and Culture of Los Angeles, ...

-based studio Singularity 6 and was announced on June 3, 2021. An

for Windows was made available on August 10, 2023. A Nintendo Switch version was released on December 14, 2023. It released on digital storefront

Steam Steam is water vapor, often mixed with air or an aerosol of liquid water droplets. This may occur due to evaporation or due to boiling, where heat is applied until water reaches the enthalpy of vaporization. Saturated or superheated steam is inv ...

on March 25, 2024. One month after the game's release, Singularity 6 laid off 49 employees, or 35 percent of its staff. Another 36 employees (40% of the workforce) were laid off in May 2024, making this the third round of layoffs since September 2023. In July 2024,

Daybreak Game Company Daybreak Game Company LLC is an American video game developer based in San Diego. The company was founded in December 1997 as Sony Online Entertainment, a subsidiary of Sony Computer Entertainment, but was spun off to an independent investor in ...

acquired Singularity 6 and the game.

Reception

Open beta

Marshall Cass for ''

Polygon In geometry, a polygon () is a plane figure made up of line segments connected to form a closed polygonal chain. The segments of a closed polygonal chain are called its '' edges'' or ''sides''. The points where two edges meet are the polygon ...

'' has said that Palia's success relies on its update schedule. Lauren Morton for ''

PC Gamer ''PC Gamer'' is a magazine and website founded in the United Kingdom in 1993 devoted to PC gaming and published monthly by Future plc. The magazine has several regional editions, with the UK and US editions becoming the best selling PC games m ...

''said while it isn't "quite there yet", its foundation is solid. Stewart Marcus, writing for ''

Game Informer ''Game Informer'' (''GI'' is an American monthly Video game journalism, video game magazine featuring articles, news, strategy, and reviews of video games and video game console, game consoles. It debuted in August 1991, when the video game reta ...

'', stated it has a strong foundation and potential. Sam Loveridge for ''

GamesRadar+ ''GamesRadar+'' (formerly ''GamesRadar'') is an entertainment website for video game-related news, previews, and reviews. It is owned by Future plc. In late 2014, Future Publishing-owned sites ''Total Film'', '' SFX'', '' Edge'' and '' Compute ...

'' said Palia "has everything I want" from a life sim. MMORPG.com said it has some promise but criticized the monetization. Tyler Edwards writing for Massively Overpowered stated the MMO depth and execution isn't good enough.

References

External links

*{{Official website Upcoming video games Fantasy video games Free-to-play video games Life simulation games Massively multiplayer online games Nintendo Switch games Video games developed in the United States Unreal Engine games Windows games