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

Pocketpair, the developer behind Palworld, is branching out into publishing with its newly formed Pocketpair Publishing. Their first project? A brand new horror game from Surgent Studios, the creators of Tales of Kenzera: Zau. This upcoming title will be a standalone project, unrelated to the Tales of Kenzera universe, though Surgent Studios remains open to future collaborations within that setting.

Surgent Studios CEO Abubakar Salim, also known for his acting roles in Assassin's Creed Origins and House of the Dragon, describes the new game as "short and weird," promising a unique experience for players. He highlights the shared risk-taking ethos between Surgent and Pocketpair as a key factor in this partnership. While details are scarce, including title and release date, the project signifies a significant step for Surgent Studios, especially following recent layoffs and funding challenges. The support from Pocketpair Publishing is expected to be crucial in its development.

Pocketpair Publishing is actively seeking new development partners, emphasizing a collaborative approach that prioritizes developer autonomy and creative vision. John Buckley, Head of Pocketpair Publishing, stresses their commitment to supporting creators and easing the challenges inherent in game development. He expresses enthusiasm for partnering with Surgent Studios, citing their originality and passion.

Abubakar Salim expressed his excitement about the partnership on X/Twitter, emphasizing the positive collaborative spirit within the industry. This new venture comes as Pocketpair continues to navigate a patent infringement lawsuit filed by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo, following the considerable success of Palworld. Tales of Kenzera: Zau, a Metroidvania game exploring themes of grief and love, received a positive 7/10 review from IGN, though its commercial success wasn't enough to prevent the studio's financial difficulties.