Palworld Developer Pocketpair Moves Into Publishing to Release Tales of Kenzera Dev's Next Game

Pocketpair, the developer behind Palworld, expands into publishing, partnering with Surgent Studios for a new horror title.

Pocketpair Publishing, a newly established branch of Pocketpair, announced on X/Twitter its first publishing venture: a standalone horror game from Surgent Studios, the creators of last year's Tales of Kenzera: Zau. This new project is unrelated to the Tales of Kenzera universe.

Surgent Studios CEO, Abubakar Salim, explained the collaboration, stating that the game will be a concise, unconventional horror experience reflecting observed industry trends. He emphasized the shared risk-taking ethos between both companies. While future Tales of Kenzera projects remain under discussion, this upcoming title serves as a distinct project, marking a transition point for Surgent Studios. No release date or title has been revealed. This project is separate from Surgent Studios' previously announced Project Uso.

Pocketpair Publishing is actively seeking proposals from other developers, emphasizing a collaborative approach that prioritizes developer autonomy and creative vision. John Buckley, Head of Pocketpair Publishing, highlighted the company's commitment to supporting game developers and easing the development process. He expressed enthusiasm for partnering with Surgent Studios, praising their innovative ideas and passion.

Salim, also a notable actor (known for roles in Assassin's Creed Origins, House of the Dragon, and Tales of Kenzera: Zau), expressed his excitement about the partnership on X/Twitter, viewing it as a positive example of industry collaboration.

Tales of Kenzera: Zau, a single-player Metroidvania game exploring themes of grief and love, received a 7/10 rating from IGN. Despite positive critical reception, Surgent Studios faced financial challenges, including layoffs and redundancy notices. The partnership with Pocketpair Publishing is expected to provide significant support.

Pocketpair continues to navigate a patent infringement lawsuit filed by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo following Palworld's strong sales.