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

Pocketpair, the developer behind the hit game Palworld, is branching out into the publishing arena with the establishment of Pocketpair Publishing. The company has announced its first venture into publishing will be supporting Surgent Studios, the creators of the debut title Tales of Kenzera: Zau, in developing a brand new horror game. This upcoming game will not be linked to the Tales of Kenzera universe but will instead explore a unique concept inspired by patterns observed in the entertainment industry.

Surgent Studios CEO Abubakar Salim expressed enthusiasm 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." He emphasized that while discussions about further projects in the Tales of Kenzera universe are ongoing, the horror game will stand alone as a significant milestone in the studio's journey.

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 distinct from the previously mentioned Project Uso by Surgent Studios.

Pocketpair Publishing is also opening its doors to other developers, emphasizing a non-intrusive approach to game development. "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."

The collaboration with Surgent Studios marks a significant milestone for Pocketpair Publishing. Buckley highlighted their commitment to supporting original ideas and passion, stating, "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 honoured 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, expressed his honor in being the first partner of Pocketpair Publishing. In a post on X/Twitter, he said, "This is the energy I want to see driving games in 2025: developers lifting each other up, creating together, and pushing the industry forward."

Tales of Kenzera: Zau, a single-player Metroidvania game that delves into themes of grief and love, received a 7/10 in IGN's review, praised for its moving narrative despite not revolutionizing the genre's gameplay. Despite its positive reception, Surgent Studios faced challenges, announcing layoffs in July and further funding struggles leading to redundancy notices in October. The support from Pocketpair Publishing could be 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.