Pocketpair, the developer behind the popular game Palworld, is expanding its horizons into the publishing industry. The newly established Pocketpair Publishing has announced its first venture: supporting Surgent Studios, the team behind the debut title Tales of Kenzera: Zau, in creating a brand new horror game. This upcoming game will not be a continuation of the Tales of Kenzera universe but rather a unique, standalone project.
Surgent Studios CEO Abubakar Salim expressed excitement about the project, 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 broader vision for their creative endeavors.
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 venture stands separate from the previously shared Project Uso concept by Surgent Studios.
Pocketpair Publishing is also opening its doors to other developers, emphasizing a hands-off approach to game creation. On their website, they state, "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." John Buckley, head of Pocketpair Publishing, added, "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 also expressed enthusiasm about supporting Surgent Studios' new title, saying, "We are pleased to be able to support Surgent Studios’ new title as our first step. We deeply sympathize with their original ideas and passion and are honored to help them realize their vision. We will respect the autonomy and vision of developers and work together to make great games for people all over the world."
Abubakar Salim, who is also known for his acting roles in Assassin's Creed Origins, House of the Dragon, and as the lead in Tales of Kenzera: Zau, shared his appreciation for 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. The review praised the game's emotional depth, stating, "Tales of Kenzera: Zau's action isn't groundbreaking within the genre, but it's elevated by a truly moving tale about how to go on in this world when your loved ones have passed on to the next."
Despite the positive reception, Surgent Studios faced financial difficulties, leading to layoffs in July and further redundancy notices in October. The support from Pocketpair Publishing could prove crucial for the studio's future.
Meanwhile, Pocketpair continues to navigate legal challenges from The Pokémon Company and Nintendo following a patent infringement lawsuit filed after Palworld's record-breaking sales success.
