Tales of Kenzera: New Game Announced by Pocketpair, Now 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/Twitter its support for a "brand new horror game" from Surgent Studios, the team behind last year's Tales of Kenzera: Zau. Importantly, this new horror title will be a standalone project, unrelated to the Tales of Kenzera universe.

Surgent Studios CEO Abubakar Salim stated, "We identified a trend within the entertainment industry, and Pocketpair has provided us the opportunity to create a horror game based on it. Both Surgent and Pocketpair are comfortable taking risks. This game will be concise and unconventional, and we believe players will appreciate our perspective." He further clarified that while future Tales of Kenzera projects are under discussion, this new game will be a distinct entity, marking a transition point for the studio.

No release date or title has been revealed, suggesting the project is still in its early stages. This venture is also separate from Surgent Studios' previously announced Project Uso.

Pocketpair Publishing is actively seeking proposals from other developers, emphasizing a collaborative approach. Their website states, "We avoid dictating creative direction, controlling developers, altering their visions, or pushing specific game types."

John Buckley, Head of Pocketpair Publishing, elaborated, "At Pocketpair, our passion is gaming, and Pocketpair Publishing is our latest endeavor to enhance the gaming experience globally. Game development presents numerous challenges, but we aim to simplify the process and foster an environment where creators can realize their ambitions. Supporting Surgent Studios' new title marks our initial step. We deeply respect their innovative ideas and dedication and are honored to assist in bringing their vision to life. We will uphold developers' autonomy and collaborate to produce exceptional games for a worldwide audience."

Salim, also a notable actor (known for roles in Assassin's Creed Origins, House of the Dragon, and Tales of Kenzera: Zau), expressed his excitement on X/Twitter, calling the partnership "an incredible honor." He added, "This is the kind of collaborative spirit I hope to see driving the games industry in 2025 – developers supporting each other, creating together, and advancing the industry."

Tales of Kenzera: Zau, a single-player Metroidvania game exploring themes of grief and love, received a 7/10 rating from IGN. While critically well-received, Surgent Studios faced financial difficulties, including layoffs and redundancy notices, making Pocketpair's support particularly significant.

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