The Sakurajima update is one of the largest content updates Palworld has received. A new island, dozens of new Pals, a raid system, and numerous quality-of-life improvements. For server administrators, this means not only new content but also configuration adjustments and potentially heavier hardware requirements. In this guide, we cover what the update brings and how to prepare your server.
The Sakurajima island
Sakurajima is a volcanic island accessible via a new fast travel point. The island features a unique biome with lava fields, hot springs, and dense forests. The environment is significantly more challenging than the starting area: stronger wild Pals, environmental hazards, and resource nodes that require higher-level tools. Plan your expedition carefully, especially on servers with permadeath enabled.
New Pals
The update introduces over 20 new Pals, many exclusive to the Sakurajima island. Highlights include fire and dark-type Pals that fill gaps in the existing roster. Several new Pals have unique work suitabilities that are especially useful for late-game base automation. Check the in-game Paldeck for their locations and capture rates.
The raid system
Raids are the update's biggest gameplay addition. Periodically, waves of hostile Pals and NPCs attack your base. The difficulty scales with your level and the number of players on the server. Raids can be configured in the server settings:
- Raid frequency: how often raids occur. Default is every few in-game days.
- Raid difficulty: scales the level and number of attackers.
- Raid rewards: successful defense yields unique materials and Pal eggs.
On multiplayer servers, raids create exciting cooperative moments. Make sure your base defenses are upgraded before enabling high-difficulty raids.
Server preparation
Before updating, take these steps:
- Back up your world: this is non-negotiable. Copy your entire save directory before updating.
- Update the server binary: on managed hosting, this usually happens automatically or with one click. On a VPS, pull the latest version via SteamCMD.
- Check RAM usage: the new island and Pals increase memory consumption. If you were running near your limit, consider upgrading. 8 GB is now the recommended minimum for 10+ players.
- Review your settings: check
PalWorldSettings.inifor new configuration options added by the update. Default values are usually fine, but raid settings are worth customizing.
Performance considerations
The Sakurajima update increases the game world size significantly. Expect:
- Higher memory usage (1 to 2 GB more than before the update)
- Slightly longer server startup time due to the larger world
- More disk I/O during autosaves with larger save files
If players report lag when exploring the new island, check your server's CPU and memory usage. The volcanic biome with its particle effects is more resource-intensive than base game areas.
Quality-of-life improvements
Beyond the major features, the update includes dozens of smaller improvements:
- Improved base building with new structure types and snap points
- Better Pal AI for base workers (fewer pathfinding issues)
- Rebalanced breeding combinations and hatch times
- New fast travel points across the existing map
- Bug fixes for multiplayer desync issues
Do I need to start a new world for Sakurajima?
No. The island is added to existing worlds automatically. After updating, the new fast travel point appears on your map. All existing progress, bases, and Pals are preserved.
Can my players visit Sakurajima at any level?
Technically yes, but the Pals on the island are level 40+. Low-level players will struggle to survive. It is designed as late-game content.
How much extra RAM does the update need?
Expect 1 to 2 GB more than your previous usage. If you were running comfortably on 8 GB before, you should still be fine. Servers near their limit should consider upgrading to the next tier.
Palworld servers at HostValues are automatically updated and include enough resources for the Sakurajima content.
