Palworld Developer Pocketpair Moves Into Publishing to Release Tales of Kenzera Dev's Next Game

Pocketpair, the developer behind Palworld, is branching out into publishing with its newly formed Pocketpair Publishing. Their first project? A brand new horror game from Surgent Studios, the creators of Tales of Kenzera: Zau.

This upcoming horror title will be a standalone project, unrelated to the Tales of Kenzera universe, though Surgent Studios remains open to future projects within that setting. Surgent Studios CEO Abubakar Salim, also known for his acting roles (including Bayek in Assassin's Creed Origins), described the new game as "short and weird," a deliberate departure allowing for creative exploration. No release date or title has been announced.

Pocketpair Publishing's approach emphasizes developer autonomy. Their website explicitly states their commitment to not dictating creative direction or forcing specific game types. John Buckley, Head of Pocketpair Publishing, highlighted their passion for games and their desire to support creators in realizing their visions. He emphasized respecting developer independence and collaborating to produce high-quality games for a global audience.

Salim expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, viewing it as a positive example of collaboration within the gaming industry. This collaboration comes at a crucial time for Surgent Studios, which recently faced layoffs and funding challenges. The support from Pocketpair Publishing will be significant in helping them navigate these difficulties.

Meanwhile, Pocketpair continues to navigate its own legal battles, facing a patent infringement lawsuit from The Pokémon Company and Nintendo following Palworld's successful launch. Despite this, their foray into publishing demonstrates their continued ambition and commitment to the gaming industry.