We got a lot of news about the creature collector Aniimo. Before we dive into the news, be sure to check out Aniimo.com for details on the closed beta. Aniimo is coming to Xbox X|S, Steam, and mobile this year! Creature collecting games are my favorite genre, so I can't wait for this game.
Kingsglory and Pawprint Studio Today hosted the first Aniimo developer preview as part of the teams’ efforts to keep the Aniimo community heavily involved in the development of the creature-catching RPG, even before launch. Headlined by the announcement that the “Paws Up” second closed beta test—which players can still sign up for at aniimo.com—will begin globally on January 23, 2026, the broadcast also previewed updates and improvements made to the game since earlier tests and on the road to launch on Xbox Series X|S, PC, and mobile later this year.
Today’s livestream revealed that players can look forward to dozens of new Aniimo and their evolutions to collect and twine with; vast new regions and ecosystems; expanded housing, social, and customization systems; and much more.
- New Aniimo - Brand-new Aniimo have been added, from Fentuft & Nimbi, whose mood impacts their environment, to Eko, an Aniimo that is great for sound-detection, a highly requested feature by the community. Many previously available Aniimo will also feature new evolutions, behaviors, and animations. As always, players have the opportunity to not only collect but “twine” with any Aniimo to experience the world from a new perspective.
- New Boss Aniimo will also appear across regions, including powerful iridescent variants. Players can also encounter the first ever Legendary Aniimo, Irelia, which is a story-driven legendary. Irelia’s full story unlocks for the first time during the Paws Up test.
- Regions, Environments, & Ecology - Multiple new areas and ecosystems can be explored in the new beta, each with their own interconnected Aniimo behaviors. These include Driftwise Meadow with its emotion-based ecology, the fiery Sandcastle Hill and flourishing Rosetower Wood, while existing regions will receive expanded features and new native Aniimo.
- Homeland - In the Homeland system, players can farm and harvest with their Aniimo, decorate their home to their preferences, and treat Aniimo to fun fairground rides whilst simultaneously working together to achieve their goals. Facilities are powered by Aniimo, and can be accessed from the RV Campsite. Homeland is a feature where community feedback is especially welcome!
- Operation: Egg Heist - A major new gameplay mode, this large-scale PvE/PvP mode is set on the Lost Isles, where teams of three explore outer zones and dungeons to find treasure and eggs. Featuring maze-like dungeons and opportunities to use creative mechanics to trick enemies, the mode’s primary objective is to team up to compete with Pathfinders from the whole server for the Aniimo Egg.
- Social & Multiplayer Enhancements - New social tools are available to players, including the Horn to call for help from friends and strangers in the open world, the Flute to invite others to a location or discover players nearby, and the Come to Me ability which instantly calls one’s allies. This beta also adds the Follow & Gift System, which allows players to travel together and gift Aniimo.
- Technical Upgrades - Since earlier tests, Aniimo has also received major visual and customization improvements, with improved environments, NPC models, lighting, and player character customization.
Additionally, Aniimo recently concluded its first co-dev program, "An Aniimo Is Born," which received nearly one thousand submissions for community-created creature designs. The first winners' designs are already in production for inclusion in the game, with the Pawprint Studio team Today announcing that a second round of co-creation is coming soon.
Finally, the team announced an upcoming community poll on Discord and aniimo.com, where the Aniimo voted most popular will be turned into a free Pathfinder outfit available for all players.
Interested players can follow Aniimo on X, Facebook, TikTok and Instagram; join the community Discord; and visit aniimo.com for more details on the closed beta test.
The “Paws Up” second closed beta begins January 23, 2026. Closed beta signups and pre-registration are open now at aniimo.com.
