Palworld Developer Pocketpair Launches Publishing Arm, Backs Indie Horror Game

Pocketpair Expands into Game Publishing Following Palworld Success

Pocketpair, the developer behind the wildly successful Palworld, has announced its expansion into game publishing. The move comes on the heels of Palworld’s remarkable achievement, selling 15 million copies within its first month of release.

The newly formed Pocketpair Publishing aims to support indie game developers by offering funding and development assistance. In a significant first step, the company has partnered with Surgent Studios for its inaugural publishing project.

The collaboration will see the release of a horror game later this year, marking Pocketpair Publishing’s entry into the market. Surgent Studios, led by Abubakar Salim, had previously faced financial challenges following the launch of Tales of Kenzera, making this partnership a potential lifeline for the studio.

This expansion comes at a crucial time for the indie game industry, which has been grappling with widespread financial struggles. Recent industry-wide layoffs and reduced funding from major publishers have left many smaller studios in precarious positions. Even established indie-supportive publishers like Annapurna Games have reported operational difficulties.

Pocketpair Publishing joins a growing trend of new entrants in the indie publishing space. Companies like Videogamedunkey’s Bigmode and Innersloth’s Outersloth have successfully entered the market through unconventional methods, paving the way for fresh approaches to indie game support.

The company’s vision focuses on simplifying the game development process for creators while fostering an environment that encourages creative freedom and innovation. By leveraging its recent success, Pocketpair Publishing aims to become a significant player in supporting indie game development.

As the gaming industry continues to evolve, the entry of Pocketpair Publishing could signal a new era of support for indie developers, potentially reshaping the landscape of game creation and distribution.