Pocketpair launches a new independent publisher after the success of Palworld.
That is an interesting way to make use of all that money.
Pocketpair, the company behind the success of Palworld, has decided to venture into the world of video game publishing. After selling 15 million copies of their creature adventure game in its first month on Steam, they will use those profits to launch Pocketpair Publishing. This new label will focus on providing comprehensive support to independent game developers and small studios, offering funding, development assistance, and publishing services.
The first collaboration of Pocketpair Publishing will be with Surgent Studios, the developer of Tales of Kenzera: Zau, a horror game expected to release later this year. Surgent Studios was founded by Abubakar Salim, known for his work as a voice and screen actor. Although they released Tales of Kenzera, an Afro-futuristic metroidvania, the lack of funding led the company to pause its game division, reflecting a concerning trend within the industry over the last two years.
The layoff crisis has impacted many independent developers, as large publishers, which typically provide funding to these smaller studios, are tightening their budgets. Many are opting to conserve their capital or only invest in projects they consider safe in terms of financial return. Even companies known for supporting indie games, such as Annapurna Games, are facing difficulties in maintaining their operations.
Despite this bleak outlook, Pocketpair Publishing joins a growing group of new companies seeking new paths in indie game publishing. Content creator and video game critic videogamedunkey launched his own publishing house, Bigmode, in 2022, which had a successful debut with Animal Well. Similarly, Innersloth, recognized for their game Among Us, established Outersloth, a fund to support indie games instead of a traditional publishing house. Pocketpair Publishing aims to transform their commercial success into opportunities for more indie games, like Palworld, to be developed.
John Buckley, head of Pocketpair Publishing, stated, “Video game development presents numerous challenges, but we want to make that process as easy as possible and provide an environment where creators can pursue their dreams.”
