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 (formerly Twitter) its first publishing venture: a standalone horror game from Surgent Studios, the creators of Tales of Kenzera: Zau. This new project will not be a sequel or connected to the Tales of Kenzera universe.

Surgent Studios CEO Abubakar Salim, also known for his acting roles (including Bayek in Assassin's Creed Origins), explained the collaboration, stating the game will be a "short and weird" experience exploring a specific pattern observed within the entertainment industry. He highlighted the shared risk-taking approach between both studios. While future projects within the Tales of Kenzera universe are under discussion, this new horror title will stand alone, serving as a bridge between past and future endeavors. This project is distinct from Surgent Studios' previously announced Project Uso.

Pocketpair Publishing is actively seeking proposals from other developers, emphasizing a hands-off approach that prioritizes creative freedom and developer autonomy. John Buckley, Head of Pocketpair Publishing, underscored the company's commitment to supporting game creators and easing the challenges of game development. He expressed enthusiasm for partnering with Surgent Studios, citing their originality and passion.

Salim expressed his gratitude for the partnership on X, emphasizing the collaborative spirit and mutual support within the gaming industry.

Tales of Kenzera: Zau, a Metroidvania game exploring themes of grief and love, received a positive reception (7/10 from IGN), but Surgent Studios faced financial difficulties, including layoffs and redundancy notices. The support from Pocketpair Publishing is expected to be crucial for the studio's future.

This announcement comes as Pocketpair continues to navigate a patent infringement lawsuit filed by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo, following the remarkable sales success of Palworld.