Palworld developer Pocketpair is branching out, establishing Pocketpair Publishing to support the next project from Surgent Studios, creators of Tales of Kenzera: Zau. This new venture will focus on publishing a standalone horror game from Surgent Studios, unrelated to their previous title.
Pocketpair Publishing announced on X/Twitter their support for this "brand new horror game," emphasizing their commitment to risk-taking and unconventional projects. Surgent Studios CEO Abubakar Salim explained the collaboration, stating the game will be "short and weird," aiming to explore a unique theme observed within the entertainment industry. While future Tales of Kenzera projects remain under discussion, this new horror title will stand alone, marking a significant step for Surgent Studios. No release date or title has been revealed. This project is separate from Surgent Studios' previously announced Project Uso.
Pocketpair Publishing is actively seeking pitches from other developers, highlighting their hands-off approach: "We don't want to tell you what to do. We don’t want to take control from you. We don’t want to change your dream or push you to make a certain type of game," their website states.
John Buckley, Head of Pocketpair Publishing, emphasized their passion for games and their desire to create a supportive environment for developers. He expressed enthusiasm for partnering with Surgent Studios, highlighting their shared vision and commitment to creative autonomy.
Abubakar Salim, also known for his acting roles (including Bayek in Assassin's Creed Origins and Alyn of Hull in House of the Dragon), expressed his gratitude for the partnership on X/Twitter, viewing it as a positive example for the gaming industry in 2025.
Tales of Kenzera: Zau, a single-player Metroidvania game exploring themes of grief and love, received a 7/10 rating from IGN, praised for its moving narrative despite unremarkable gameplay. Despite this positive reception, Surgent Studios faced financial challenges, including layoffs and redundancy notices, making Pocketpair Publishing's support particularly significant.
Pocketpair continues to navigate a patent infringement lawsuit from The Pokémon Company and Nintendo, following the remarkable success of Palworld.
