Today, Kingsglory and Pawprint Studio hosted the first official Aniimo developer preview, offering a deep dive into the future of the upcoming free-to-play creature-catching RPG. The biggest announcement from the broadcast confirmed that the “Paws Up” second closed beta test will begin globally on January 23, 2026, with sign-ups still open now.
Dozens of New Aniimo and Evolutions Revealed
Players jumping into the Paws Up beta can expect dozens of new Aniimo to collect, along with new evolutions for familiar creatures. Highlights include Fentuft and Nimbi, whose moods directly impact the environment, and Eko, a sound-detection-focused Aniimo developed in response to strong community demand.
New Boss Aniimo, including powerful iridescent variants, will also appear across regions. The beta introduces the first-ever Legendary Aniimo, Irelia, a story-driven creature whose full narrative arc can be unlocked during the test.
Expanding Regions, Ecology, and Exploration
Several new regions and ecosystems will be available during the beta, each featuring interconnected Aniimo behaviors. These include the emotion-driven Driftwise Meadow, the fiery Sandcastle Hill, and the flourishing Rosetower Wood. Existing regions are also being expanded with additional features and new native Aniimo, further deepening the world of Idyll.
Homeland System Gets a Major Spotlight
The developer preview showcased expanded details on Homeland, Aniimo’s customizable home system. Players can farm and harvest with their Aniimo, decorate their spaces, and even build fairground-style attractions. Facilities are powered by Aniimo themselves and can be accessed from the RV Campsite. Pawprint Studio noted that this system is an area where community feedback is especially important during the beta.
Operation: Egg Heist Introduces Large-Scale Multiplayer
One of the most significant additions is Operation: Egg Heist, a large-scale PvE/PvP mode set on the Lost Isles. Teams of three explore outer zones and maze-like dungeons in search of treasure and rare eggs, competing against Pathfinders across the entire server. Creative mechanics and strategic teamwork are key, with the ultimate goal of controlling the coveted Aniimo Egg.
Social, Technical, and Community Enhancements
The Paws Up beta adds a suite of new social tools, including the Horn to call for help, the Flute to invite players to locations, and the Come to Me ability for instant ally summoning. A new Follow & Gift System allows players to travel together and gift Aniimo.
On the technical side, Aniimo has received visual upgrades across environments, NPC models, lighting, and player customization. Pawprint Studio also confirmed that community-created Aniimo designs from the “An Aniimo Is Born” co-dev program are already in production, with a second round of co-creation coming soon.
Beta Sign-Ups Open Now
The Aniimo “Paws Up” second closed beta begins January 23, 2026, with registrations available now at aniimo.com. Aniimo is set to launch in 2026 on Xbox Series X|S, PC via Steam and Xbox, and mobile, with wishlisting already live on Xbox and Steam.
