Surgent Studios and Pocketpair Announce Standalone Horror Game for 2025

Surgent Studios and Pocketpair have officially announced a new standalone horror game set for release in 2025, marking an important milestone for both development teams.

Surgent Studios, known for their acclaimed platformer Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, will collaborate with Pocketpair—developers of the breakout hit Palworld—on the project.

This partnership also represents Pocketpair’s debut as a publisher, broadening its reach within the industry as it supports this new title’s launch. Tales of Kenzera: ZAU made a notable impact earlier in 2024, with Surgent Studios earning praise for their creative storytelling and engaging world-building.

Meanwhile, Pocketpair’s Palworld captured global attention, recently launching on PS5 after strong performances on PC and Xbox.

Pocketpair has maintained its momentum despite ongoing legal disputes with Nintendo regarding alleged patent infringements tied to Palworld.

Nevertheless, both companies are leveraging their expertise and industry standing to create a compelling horror experience for players worldwide. Although specific details about the horror title are currently under wraps, Surgent Studios CEO Abubakar Salim shared insight into the project’s significance and scope.

Reframing his statement for clarity, Salim explained that the upcoming game serves as a pivotal milestone for the studio.

He described it as “a mile marker between where we’ve come from and where we’re going,” highlighting its role in bridging the studio’s narrative and creative evolution. Salim emphasized that both Surgent Studios and Pocketpair have built reputations for taking creative risks, noting a shared desire to break new ground within the entertainment industry.

“We identified certain trends across the entertainment sector, and Pocketpair’s support allows us to craft a distinctive, short-form horror game that explores these themes.

We are confident that players will be intrigued by what we have to offer.” Importantly, Salim clarified that the new title is entirely independent from the Tales of Kenzera universe and is not associated with their previously announced Project Uso.

It will stand alone as an original, self-contained experience. While anticipation grows, Surgent Studios has also stated that conversations about potential future projects set within the Tales of Kenzera franchise are ongoing.

However, for now, their focus remains on refining this new horror game in partnership with Pocketpair. With an expected release later this year across multiple platforms, including the Nintendo Switch, eShop, PC, PS5, and Xbox, the project underscores both companies’ commitment to bold creativity and innovation in game development.

As more information becomes available, industry observers and fans can look forward to further updates on this landmark collaboration.

Pocketpair Surgent Studios Tales of Kenzera: ZAU