Palworld developer Pocketpair is branching out into publishing, partnering with Surgent Studios for their next project. Pocketpair Publishing, a newly formed entity, announced on X/Twitter its support for a brand new horror game from Surgent Studios, the creators of last year's Tales of Kenzera: Zau. This upcoming horror title will be a standalone project, unrelated to the Tales of Kenzera universe.

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. We’re still in earnest conversation about further projects set in the Tales of Kenzera universe, but this will be a standalone piece: a mile marker between where we’ve come from and where we’re going."

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

Pocketpair Publishing is actively seeking pitches from other developers, emphasizing a collaborative and supportive approach. 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 and Alyn of Hull in House of the Dragon), expressed his enthusiasm on X/Twitter, calling the partnership "an incredible honor" and praising the collaborative spirit driving the games industry in 2025.

Tales of Kenzera: Zau, a single-player Metroidvania game exploring themes of grief and love, received a 7/10 rating from IGN, praised for its moving narrative. Despite the positive reception, Surgent Studios faced financial difficulties, including layoffs and redundancy notices, making Pocketpair's support crucial for their future.

Pocketpair itself continues to navigate a patent infringement lawsuit filed by The Pokémon Company and Nintendo following the successful launch of Palworld.