Pocketpair, the developer behind Palworld, is branching out into publishing, starting with Surgent Studios' next project.
Pocketpair Publishing, a newly established entity, announced on X/Twitter its partnership with Surgent Studios, the creator of Tales of Kenzera: Zau, for a new horror game. This title will be a standalone project, distinct from 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: "We noticed an industry trend, and Pocketpair offered us the chance to create a horror game based on it. Both Surgent and Pocketpair embrace risk. This game will be concise and unconventional, and we believe players will appreciate our perspective." He confirmed further Tales of Kenzera projects are under discussion, but this new horror game will stand alone. 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 hands-off approach: "We won't dictate your vision, control your process, or force a specific game type," their website states.
John Buckley, Head of Pocketpair Publishing, highlighted the company's commitment to supporting creators: "At Pocketpair, our passion is gaming, and Pocketpair Publishing is our latest endeavor to enhance the gaming experience globally. Game development is challenging, but we aim to simplify the process and foster an environment where creators can realize their ambitions. Our partnership with Surgent Studios marks our initial step, and we deeply respect their creative autonomy and vision."
Salim expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership on X/Twitter, calling it "an incredible honor" and praising the collaborative spirit driving game development in 2025.
Tales of Kenzera: Zau, a single-player Metroidvania exploring themes of grief and love, received a positive 7/10 rating from IGN. Despite this, Surgent Studios faced layoffs and funding challenges earlier this year, making Pocketpair's support crucial.
Pocketpair continues to navigate a patent infringement lawsuit filed by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo, following Palworld's successful launch.
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