Palworld Developer Pocketpair Moves Into Publishing to Release Tales of Kenzera Dev's Next Game

Pocketpair, the developer behind the popular game Palworld, is expanding into the publishing sector with the launch of Pocketpair Publishing. The new division has announced its first project: a standalone horror game developed by Surgent Studios, the creators of the April 2023 debut title, Tales of Kenzera: Zau. This upcoming horror game will not be a continuation of the Tales of Kenzera universe but rather a fresh narrative exploring a unique theme within the entertainment industry.

Abubakar Salim, CEO of Surgent Studios, expressed excitement about the collaboration, 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, who also voiced the protagonist in Tales of Kenzera: Zau and has acted in other high-profile projects like Assassin's Creed Origins and House of the Dragon, emphasized the honor of being Pocketpair Publishing's inaugural partner. He shared his vision for the gaming industry in 2025, hoping to see "developers lifting each other up, creating together, and pushing the industry forward."

Although no release window or title has been revealed for the new horror game, it marks a significant step for Surgent Studios, which faced layoffs and funding challenges following the release of Tales of Kenzera: Zau. The Metroidvania game, which delves into themes of grief and love, received a 7/10 from IGN for its moving narrative despite not revolutionizing the genre's action mechanics.

Pocketpair Publishing is now open to pitches from 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, reiterated their commitment to supporting creators. "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 the beginning of Pocketpair Publishing's journey, with a focus on respecting the autonomy and vision of developers to create compelling games for a global audience. Meanwhile, Pocketpair continues to navigate a patent infringement lawsuit from The Pokémon Company and Nintendo, following the record-breaking sales of Palworld.