Pocketpair Ventures into Publishing with Tales of Kenzera Dev's Next Game

Pocketpair, the developer behind the hit game Palworld, is venturing into the publishing realm with its new division, Pocketpair Publishing. They have announced their first project: a brand new horror game developed by Surgent Studios, known for their debut title, Tales of Kenzera: Zau, which was released in April of the previous year. This upcoming horror game will not continue the Tales of Kenzera universe but will instead explore a unique theme identified in the entertainment industry.

Surgent Studios CEO Abubakar Salim expressed excitement about the project, stating, "We noticed a pattern in the entertainment industry, and Pocketpair has given us the opportunity to make a horror game about it. Both Surgent and Pocketpair are well versed in taking risks. This game will be short and weird, and we think players will be interested in what we have to say." Salim also mentioned ongoing discussions about further projects within the Tales of Kenzera universe, but emphasized that the horror game will be a standalone piece, marking a significant transition for the studio.

No specific release window or title has been announced for the horror game, indicating that it is still in the early stages of development. This project is separate from the previously shared Project Uso concept by Surgent Studios.

Pocketpair Publishing is also opening its doors to other developers, emphasizing a 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," the company stated on its website. John Buckley, head of Pocketpair Publishing, added, "At Pocketpair, there is nothing we love more than games, and Pocketpair Publishing is our latest venture to help the world enjoy gaming even more. Game development comes with many challenges, but we want to ease that process as much as possible and provide an environment where creators can pursue their dreams."

Buckley also expressed enthusiasm about supporting Surgent Studios' new title, saying, "We are pleased to be able to support Surgent Studios’ new title as our first step. We deeply sympathize with their original ideas and passion and are honored to help them realize their vision. We will respect the autonomy and vision of developers and work together to make great games for people all over the world."

Abubakar Salim, who also has a notable acting career with roles in Assassin's Creed Origins, House of the Dragon, and as the protagonist in Tales of Kenzera: Zau, shared his pride in being the first partner of Pocketpair Publishing. "This is the energy I want to see driving games in 2025," he said on X/Twitter, "developers lifting each other up, creating together, and pushing the industry forward."

Tales of Kenzera: Zau, a single-player Metroidvania game, delves into themes of grief and love, earning a 7/10 in IGN's review. The review praised the game for its moving narrative about coping with loss, despite its action not being groundbreaking within the genre. However, the positive reception did not translate into commercial success, leading Surgent Studios to announce layoffs in July and further funding struggles in October, making the support from Pocketpair Publishing crucial for the studio's future.

Meanwhile, Pocketpair continues to navigate a patent infringement lawsuit filed by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo, following the record-breaking sales of Palworld.