Pocketpair partners with Surgent Studios to develop upcoming horror title 

Japanese game developer Pocketpair has partnered with transmedia company Surgent Studios to launch a new horror game this year. 

The Palworld maker is collaborating through its publishing arm, Pocketpair Publishing. Surgent Studios said the upcoming horror title will not be in the Tales of Kenzera universe. 

Based in Pentflow, England, Surgent Studios aims to bring a pioneering philosophy to storytelling across games, film, television and emerging media. They're also holding conversations with partners to help fund other games set in the Tales of Kenzera universe. 

Pocketpair was established in 2015 and is best known for its hit game Palworld, as well as its other titles Craftopia and Overdungeon. 

Despite garnering millions of installs post-launch, Palworld faced lawsuits from Nintendo and The Pokémon Company in September 2024 over similarities in character designs. In November 2024, both companies sought a payment of 5 million yen ($32,802) and an injunction against Pocket Pair. 

Risk takers 

“Both Surgent and Pocketpair are well-versed in taking risks," said Surgent Studios CEO Abubakar Salim. “We noticed a pattern in the entertainment industry, and Pocketpair has given us the opportunity to make a horror game about it. It 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.” 

Pocketpair head of publishing John Buckley added: “As the games industry continues to grow, more and more games find themselves struggling to get funded or greenlit. We think this is a real shame, because there are so many incredible creators and ideas out there that just need a little help to become incredible games. 

“We were instantly fascinated by Abubakar’s creative vision for a horror game on a topic he’s uniquely qualified to explore. The ultimate goal of Pocketpair Publishing is to find creators with a genuine passion for games and enable them to create fun, new experiences for gamers all over the world.”