Singularity 6 is expanding the in-game store in Palia with the launch of the Elderwood Expansion, introducing a new category of purchasable items tied to gameplay utility. This marks a significant shift for the cozy MMO, which has previously operated under a cosmetics-only monetization model since launch.
The update introduces Courier pets, which assist players with daily tasks like gathering, forging, fishing, and hunting. While the functionality is positioned as light and optional, it represents the first gameplay-affecting feature tied to real-money purchases in Palia, a game previously praised for its strictly cosmetic monetization approach.
In a blog post, Singularity 6 explained the decision as a step to create a more sustainable revenue model. The studio cited three core motivations: reducing dependence on a single income stream, enabling the inclusion of earnable premium items in future updates, and offering alternative support options for players who aren’t interested in cosmetics.
“We still want to be cautious as we explore this,” the post reads, emphasizing that the introduction of gameplay utility items is intended to be gradual and closely monitored.
The announcement comes during a surge in player activity tied to Palia’s largest expansion yet. While some longtime...
