Pocketpair, Company Behind last year’s viral game Paulworld, has a new venture: publishing indie games. Its first project, scheduled for release later this year, will be an as-yet-unnamed horror game from Sergeant Studios, the developer behind 2024. Kanzera’s Tales: Zhou.
Paulworldjokingly called “Pokemon with guns“Last year was a breakout success, attracting over 25 million players The first few months. The company’s step in publication is a Turbulent times For video games, Especially small studios; last year, between us Developer Innersloth announced their own Go to publication To help move projects forward. of pocket pair Paulworld Success, it seems, is allowing them to do so.
“As the games industry continues to grow, more and more games are struggling to get themselves funded or greenlit,” said John Buckley, head of PocketPair Publishing, in a press release announcing the new division. “We think it’s a real shame, because there are so many great creators and ideas out there that just need a little help to become great games.”
It’s no surprise, then, that PocketPair will work with Sergeant Studios, which has Struggled to find funding After the release of Zhou. The developer put its team on hold last year as it sought a partner for the next one Cancer The game, as it is known at this time Project USO
Surgent’s deal with Pocketpair is different Usofounder Abubakar Salim told Wired. In contrast to Afrofuturism ZhouIt will be a horror title meant to offer players something new. “We’re detouring a little bit from that Stories of Kenzera Universe,” says Salim.
Salim adds that the horror genre is “an intriguing space that taps into primal emotions, immersing the audience in a reality that is removed from their own but something deep and dark within us all.” PocketPair and Sergeant gave few details about the game in Thursday’s announcement, other than describing it as “short and weird.”
“The world is so raw right now, and it felt natural to create an experience that reflects and feeds off that intensity,” says Salim.
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 Being claimed in Tokyo Paulworld has violated its copyright. Nintendo did not respond to a request for comment. Asked if the lawsuit was a concern for Sargent, Salim said the studio was not concerned. “We’re really excited to work with their new publishing wing to bring this game to life,” he says.
