The Creators of ‘Palworld’ Are Back—This Time With a Horror Game

Pocketpayer, Company Behind last year’s viral game paulworld, There’s a new venture: publishing indie games. Its first project, slated for release later this year, will be an untitled horror game from Sargent Studios, the developer behind 2024. Kenzera’s Tale: Jau.

Palworldjokingly referred to as “Pokemon with guns“Last year was a breakout success, with over 25 million players The first few months. The company’s move into publishing comes at a troubled times For video games, Especially small studios; last year, between us Developer InnerSloth has announced its own Go to publishing To help move projects forward. Pocket pair Palworld Success, it seems, is allowing it to do the same.

“As the games industry continues to grow, more and more games are struggling to get themselves funded or greenlit,” PocketPair Publishing head John Buckley said in a press release announcing the new division. “We think it’s a real shame, because there are so many incredible creators and ideas out there that need a little help to become incredible games.”

It’s no surprise, then, that PocketPair will work with Sargent Studio, which has Struggling to find funding Following its release spacious. The developer put its team on hiatus last year as it looked for a partner for its next Kenzera The game, currently known as Project USO.

Sargent’s contract with PocketPair is different usefounder Abubakar Salim told Wired. Unlike its Afrofuturism spaciousIt will be a horror title meant to introduce players to something new. “Taking a little detour from us Kenzera’s story universe,” says Salim.

Salim adds that the horror genre is “a captivating space that taps into primal emotions, immersing audiences in a reality that is removed from their own but strikes something deep and dark in all of us.” PocketPair and Sargent gave few details about the game in Thursday’s announcement, other than describing it as “brief and quirky.”

“The world is so raw right now, and it feels natural to create an experience that reflects and feeds off that intensity,” Salim says.

PocketPair Publishing has not announced any other future projects. The company has been embroiled in legal drama since last year, when Nintendo filed a lawsuit Claiming in Tokyo Palworld violates its copyright. Nintendo did not respond to requests for comment. Asked if the case was a concern for Sargent, Salim said the studio was not concerned. “We’re really excited to be working with their new publishing arm to bring this game to life,” he said.