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 partnership with Surgent Studios to publish a new horror game. This title will be a standalone project, unrelated to Surgent Studios' previous work, Tales of Kenzera: Zau, a Metroidvania game released in April 2023.
Surgent Studios CEO, Abubakar Salim (also known for his acting roles in Assassin's Creed Origins and House of the Dragon), described the new game as "short and weird," reflecting both studios' willingness to embrace creative risks. While future projects within the Tales of Kenzera universe are under discussion, this upcoming horror game will serve as a distinct project, marking a transition for Surgent Studios. No release date or title has been revealed. This new project is also separate from Surgent Studios' previously announced Project Uso.
Pocketpair Publishing is actively seeking proposals from other developers, emphasizing a collaborative approach that respects developer autonomy and creative vision. John Buckley, Head of Pocketpair Publishing, highlighted the company's commitment to supporting developers and fostering a creative environment.
Salim expressed his enthusiasm about the partnership, viewing it as a positive example of industry collaboration and mutual support.
The collaboration comes at a pivotal time for Surgent Studios, which faced layoffs and funding challenges earlier this year. The support from Pocketpair Publishing is expected to be significant. Meanwhile, Pocketpair continues to navigate a patent infringement lawsuit filed by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo, following the remarkable sales of Palworld.
