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, starting with Surgent Studios' next project.

Pocketpair Publishing, a newly established entity, announced on X/Twitter its partnership with Surgent Studios for a new horror game. This title will be a standalone project, unrelated to Surgent's previous work, Tales of Kenzera: Zau.

Abubakar Salim, CEO of Surgent Studios, explained the collaboration, stating that the game will be a short, unconventional horror experience. While future projects within the Tales of Kenzera universe are under discussion, this upcoming game marks a distinct departure. No release date or title has been revealed. This project is also separate from Surgent Studios' previously announced Project Uso.

Pocketpair Publishing is actively seeking out new development partnerships, emphasizing a hands-off approach that respects developer autonomy and creative vision. John Buckley, Head of Pocketpair Publishing, highlighted the company's commitment to supporting creators and fostering a collaborative environment.

Salim, also known for his acting roles (including Bayek in Assassin's Creed Origins), expressed his enthusiasm for the partnership, emphasizing the importance of 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). Despite this, Surgent Studios faced financial difficulties, including layoffs and redundancy notices. The partnership with Pocketpair Publishing offers crucial support during this challenging period.

Pocketpair continues to navigate a patent infringement lawsuit filed by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo, following Palworld's successful launch.