Palworld developer Pocketpair is branching out, establishing Pocketpair Publishing to support the next project from Surgent Studios, creators of Tales of Kenzera: Zau. This new venture will publish a standalone horror game from Surgent Studios, a departure from the Tales of Kenzera universe.
Pocketpair Publishing announced on X/Twitter their commitment to this "brand new horror game," emphasizing their support for Surgent Studios' unique vision. Surgent Studios CEO Abubakar Salim explained 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." While future Tales of Kenzera projects are under discussion, this horror title will stand alone, marking a significant step for the studio. No release date or title has been revealed. This project is separate from Surgent Studios' previously announced Project Uso.
Pocketpair Publishing is actively seeking new development partnerships, highlighting their commitment to developer autonomy. Their website states, "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, added, "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. 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."
Salim, also known for his acting roles (including Bayek in Assassin's Creed Origins), expressed his enthusiasm, calling the partnership an "incredible honor" and praising the collaborative spirit driving game development in 2025.
Tales of Kenzera: Zau, a single-player Metroidvania exploring themes of grief and love, received a 7/10 rating from IGN, praised for its moving narrative. Despite this positive reception, Surgent Studios faced challenges, including layoffs and redundancy notices due to funding difficulties. The support from Pocketpair Publishing is expected to significantly aid the studio's recovery.
Pocketpair continues to navigate a patent infringement lawsuit filed by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo following the record-breaking sales of Palworld.
