Pocketpair, the developer behind the hit game Palworld, is expanding its horizons into the publishing realm with the establishment of Pocketpair Publishing. The company has announced its first venture will be to support Surgent Studios, the creators of the debut title Tales of Kenzera: Zau, in developing a brand new horror game. This upcoming project will not be a continuation of the Tales of Kenzera universe but a standalone piece, reflecting a unique theme within the entertainment industry.
Surgent Studios CEO Abubakar Salim expressed excitement about the collaboration, stating, "We noticed a pattern in the entertainment industry, and Pocketpair has given us the opportunity to make a horror game about it. Both Surgent and Pocketpair are well versed in taking risks. This game will be short and weird, and we think players will be interested in what we have to say." Salim also mentioned ongoing discussions about further projects within the Tales of Kenzera universe, indicating a bright future for the studio.
While no release window or title has been announced for the horror game, it's clear that the project is still in its early stages. This new endeavor is separate from the previously shared Project Uso concept by Surgent Studios. Meanwhile, Pocketpair Publishing is actively seeking pitches from other developers, emphasizing a hands-off approach. "We don't want to tell you what to do. We don’t want to take control from you. We don’t want to change your dream or push you to make a certain type of game," the company stated on its website.
John Buckley, head of Pocketpair Publishing, shared the company's passion for gaming and its commitment to supporting developers. "At Pocketpair, there is nothing we love more than games, and Pocketpair Publishing is our latest venture to help the world enjoy gaming even more. Game development comes with many challenges, but we want to ease that process as much as possible and provide an environment where creators can pursue their dreams," Buckley said. He expressed enthusiasm about supporting Surgent Studios' new title as their first step, emphasizing respect for the autonomy and vision of developers.
Abubakar Salim, who also has a notable acting career, including roles in Assassin's Creed Origins and House of the Dragon, celebrated the partnership on X/Twitter. "It's an incredible honor to be Pocketpair Publishing's first partner," he said, adding, "This is the energy I want to see driving games in 2025: developers lifting each other up, creating together, and pushing the industry forward."
Tales of Kenzera: Zau, a single-player Metroidvania game that delves into themes of grief and love, received a 7/10 in IGN's review. Despite its positive reception, the game did not achieve the commercial success hoped for, leading to layoffs at Surgent Studios in July and further funding struggles by October. The support from Pocketpair Publishing could be a crucial lifeline for the studio.
On another front, Pocketpair continues to navigate a patent infringement lawsuit filed by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo, following the record-breaking sales of Palworld. This legal battle adds another layer of complexity to Pocketpair's journey as it ventures into publishing.
