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Pocketpair, the company behind last year’s viral game palworld, has a new venture: publishing indie games. His first project, scheduled for release later this year, will be an untitled horror game from Surgent Studios, the developer behind 2024. Tales of Kenzera: Zau.
Palworldjokingly called “Pokemon with guns“It was a huge success last year, attracting more than 25 million players in its first months. The step of the company in the publication comes to a turbulent time for video games, especially smaller studios; last year, Among us developer Innersloth has announced its own proceed to publication to help push projects forward. Pocketpair Palworld success, it seems, allows him to do the same.
“As the gaming industry continues to grow, more and more games are struggling to get funded or greenlit,” John Buckley, head of Pocketpair Publishing, said in a press release announcing the new division. “We think this is a real shame, because there are so many incredible creators and ideas out there that need a little help to become incredible games.”
It is no surprise, therefore, that Pocketpair will work with Surgent Studios, which has struggled to find funding after the release of Wide. The developer put his team on hiatus last year while he looked for a partner for his next one Kenzera game, currently known as Project Use.
Surgent’s agreement with Pocketpair is separate Use itfounder Abubakar Salim tells WIRED. Unlike the Afrofuturism of WideIt will be a horror title aimed at introducing players to something new. “Let’s make a small detour from the Kenzera’s tales universe,” says Salim.
Salim adds that the horror genre “is a fascinating space that touches on primal emotions, immersing the audience in a reality that is far from their own but strikes something deep and dark in all of us.” Pocketpair and Surgent gave few details about the game in Thursday’s announcement, other than to describe it as “short and weird.”
“The world is so raw right now, and it feels natural to create an experience that reflects and feeds off that intensity,” says Salim.
Pocketpair Publishing has not announced any other upcoming projects. The company has been involved in legal drama since last year, when Nintendo he filed a lawsuit in Tokyo they claim Palworld violated his copyright. Nintendo did not respond to a request for comment. When asked if the cause was a concern for Surgent, Salim says the study is not concerned. “We’re really excited to work with their new publishing wing to bring this game to life,” he says.
