Pocketpair Unveils Publishing Arm With 'Tales of Kenzera'

Pocketpair, the developer behind Palworld, is branching out into publishing, announcing its first project: a new horror game from Surgent Studios, the creators of Tales of Kenzera: Zau.

Pocketpair Publishing, the newly established publishing arm, revealed on X/Twitter its commitment to supporting Surgent Studios' upcoming title. This horror game will be a standalone project, unrelated to the Tales of Kenzera universe.

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

Pocketpair Publishing is actively seeking proposals from other developers, emphasizing a collaborative and supportive approach. Their website states a commitment to avoiding creative control and allowing developers to realize their visions.

John Buckley, Head of Pocketpair Publishing, highlighted the company's passion for games and its aim to foster a supportive environment for game creators. He expressed enthusiasm for partnering with Surgent Studios, citing their originality and passion.

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

Tales of Kenzera: Zau, a Metroidvania game exploring themes of grief and love, received a positive 7/10 review from IGN. Despite this, Surgent Studios faced financial challenges, including layoffs and redundancy notices. The support from Pocketpair Publishing is therefore significant for the studio.

Pocketpair itself continues to navigate a patent infringement lawsuit from The Pokémon Company and Nintendo, filed following Palworld's strong sales.