Tales of Kenzera Dev Debuts as Publisher

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

Pocketpair Publishing, a newly established entity, announced on X (formerly Twitter) its partnership with Surgent Studios to publish a new horror game. This title will be a standalone project, unrelated to Surgent's previous release, Tales of Kenzera: Zau, a Metroidvania game released in April 2023.

Surgent Studios CEO Abubakar Salim, also known for his acting roles (including Bayek in Assassin's Creed Origins), described the upcoming horror game as "short and weird," reflecting both studios' willingness to take creative risks. While future projects within the Tales of Kenzera universe are under discussion, this new horror game will serve as a distinct project. No release date or title has been revealed. It's also separate from Surgent Studios' previously announced Project Uso.

Pocketpair Publishing is actively seeking submissions from other developers, emphasizing a collaborative and supportive approach. They aim to provide an environment where creators retain autonomy and can pursue their creative visions without undue pressure or interference.

John Buckley, Head of Pocketpair Publishing, highlighted the company's commitment to supporting game developers and easing the challenges inherent in game development. He expressed enthusiasm about partnering with Surgent Studios for their first publishing venture, praising their originality and passion.

Salim expressed his gratitude for the partnership, emphasizing the positive collaborative spirit within the industry. He sees this collaboration as a positive step forward for game development in 2025.

Tales of Kenzera: Zau, despite receiving a positive review (7/10 from IGN), faced financial difficulties, leading to layoffs and redundancy notices for Surgent Studios employees. The partnership with Pocketpair Publishing is expected to provide significant support.

Meanwhile, Pocketpair continues to navigate a patent infringement lawsuit filed by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo following Palworld's successful launch.