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

Pocketpair, the developer behind the hit game Palworld, is expanding its horizons by stepping into the publishing arena with Pocketpair Publishing. The company has announced its first publishing venture with Surgent Studio, the team behind the debut title Tales of Kenzera: Zau. This new partnership will bring forth a unique horror game from Surgent Studios, distinct from their previous work.

Surgent Studios CEO Abubakar Salim expressed excitement about this 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 emphasized that while discussions about expanding the Tales of Kenzera universe continue, this horror game will serve as a standalone project, marking a significant step in their creative journey.

Details about the horror game, including its title and release window, remain under wraps, indicating that it's still in the early stages of development. This project is separate from another concept, Project Uso, previously teased by Surgent Studios.

Pocketpair Publishing is not stopping at this collaboration. The company is now actively seeking pitches from other developers, with a clear message on their website: "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." John Buckley, Head of Pocketpair Publishing, reinforced this sentiment, saying, "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 highlighted the significance of their partnership with Surgent Studios, 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 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 an acting background with roles in Assassin's Creed Origins, House of the Dragon, and as the lead in Tales of Kenzera: Zau, shared his enthusiasm on X/Twitter, saying, "it's an incredible honor to be Pocketpair Publishing's first partner. 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, delves into themes of grief and love. It received a 7/10 in IGN's review, praised for its moving narrative despite not breaking new ground in gameplay mechanics. However, the positive reception did not translate into sustained success, as Surgent Studios faced layoffs in July and further financial difficulties in October, making Pocketpair's support crucial for their future endeavors.

Meanwhile, Pocketpair continues to navigate its own challenges, including a patent infringement lawsuit from The Pokémon Company and Nintendo, following the massive success of Palworld. As Pocketpair ventures into publishing, it aims to foster an environment where creativity and developer autonomy thrive, potentially setting a new standard for the gaming industry.