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 to publish a brand-new horror game. This project will be a standalone title, unrelated to Surgent Studios' previous work, Tales of Kenzera: Zau, a Metroidvania game released in April 2023.

Abubakar Salim, CEO of Surgent Studios, explained the collaboration, stating that the game will be a concise and unconventional horror experience. While future projects within the Tales of Kenzera universe are under discussion, this upcoming title serves as a bridge between past and future endeavors. No release date or title has been revealed. This new project is distinct from Surgent Studios' previously announced Project Uso.

Pocketpair Publishing is actively seeking proposals from other developers, emphasizing a collaborative approach that respects creative autonomy and avoids dictating game design. John Buckley, Head of Pocketpair Publishing, highlighted the company's commitment to supporting game developers and fostering an environment conducive to creative freedom. He expressed enthusiasm for partnering with Surgent Studios, praising their innovative ideas and passion.

Salim, also known for his acting roles (including Bayek in Assassin's Creed Origins), expressed his gratitude for the partnership, viewing it as a positive example of industry collaboration.

Tales of Kenzera: Zau, despite receiving a positive review (7/10 from IGN), faced financial challenges, leading to layoffs and redundancy notices within Surgent Studios. The support from Pocketpair Publishing is expected to significantly aid the studio.

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