Palworld Dev Pocketpair Expands to Publish "Tales of Kenzera"

Pocketpair, the developer behind Palworld, is branching out into publishing, starting with Surgent Studios' next project.

Pocketpair Publishing, the newly established publishing arm, announced on X/Twitter its support for a "brand new horror game" from Surgent Studios, the team behind last year's Tales of Kenzera: Zau. This horror title will be a standalone project, unrelated to the Tales of Kenzera universe.

Surgent Studios CEO Abubakar Salim explained the collaboration, stating that the game will be a concise and unconventional horror experience. While future projects within the Tales of Kenzera universe are under discussion, this new game serves as a bridge between past and future endeavors. No release date or title has been revealed. This project is distinct from Surgent Studios' previously announced Project Uso.

Pocketpair Publishing is actively seeking proposals from other developers, emphasizing a collaborative approach that respects creative autonomy. Their website states a commitment to supporting developers' visions without imposing creative constraints.

John Buckley, Head of Pocketpair Publishing, highlighted the company's passion for gaming and its aim to simplify the development process. He expressed enthusiasm about partnering with Surgent Studios, citing a shared vision and respect for creative independence.

Salim, also known for his acting roles (including Bayek in Assassin's Creed Origins), celebrated the partnership on X/Twitter, emphasizing the collaborative spirit within the gaming industry.

Tales of Kenzera: Zau, a Metroidvania game exploring themes of grief and love, received a positive reception (7/10 from IGN). Despite this, 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.