Pocketpair, the developer behind Palworld, expands into publishing with Surgent Studios' next project.
Pocketpair Publishing, a newly established branch of Pocketpair, announced on X/Twitter its first publishing venture: a new horror game from Surgent Studios, the creators of last year's Tales of Kenzera: Zau. This upcoming title will be a standalone project, unrelated to the Kenzera universe.
Abubakar Salim, CEO of Surgent Studios, explained the collaboration, stating that the game will be a "short and weird" horror title inspired by observed industry trends. He emphasized the shared risk-taking approach between both companies. While future projects within the Tales of Kenzera universe are under discussion, this new horror game serves as a distinct project, marking a transition for Surgent Studios.
No release date or title has been revealed, suggesting the game is in early development. This project is separate from Surgent Studios' previously announced Project Uso.
Pocketpair Publishing is actively seeking proposals from other developers, emphasizing a collaborative and supportive approach, prioritizing developer autonomy and creative vision. John Buckley, Head of Pocketpair Publishing, highlighted the company's commitment to fostering a positive development environment and easing the challenges inherent in game creation.
Salim, also known for his acting roles (including Bayek in Assassin's Creed Origins), expressed his enthusiasm about partnering with Pocketpair Publishing, highlighting the collaborative spirit within the gaming industry.
Surgent Studios' previous title, Tales of Kenzera: Zau, a Metroidvania game exploring themes of grief and love, received a positive 7/10 rating from IGN. Despite this positive reception, Surgent Studios faced financial difficulties, including layoffs and redundancy notices, making Pocketpair's support particularly significant.
This announcement comes as Pocketpair continues to navigate a patent infringement lawsuit filed by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo following Palworld's successful launch.
