The makers of ‘Pulworld’ are back – this time with a horror game

Pocketpayer, Organization 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 a yet-to-be-minor horror game from developer Sargent Studios behind 2024. Kenzera’s Story: Go.

Palworldjokingly referred to as “Pokemon with guns“Last year was a breakout success, drawing over 25 million players The first few months. The agency’s move comes in the form of disclosure troubled times For video games, Especially small studios; last year, between us Developer InnerSloth has announced its own Move into publication To help projects move forward. pocket money Palworld Success, it seems, is allowing it to do the same.

“As the games industry grows, more and more games find themselves struggling to get 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 incredible creators and ideas out there that just need a little help to be incredible games.”

But it’s no surprise that PocketPair will work with Sargent Studios, which has Struggle to find funding After its release spacious. The developer put its team on hiatus last year as it sought its next partner Kenzera The game, currently known as Project USO.

Separate from Sargent’s contract with Pocketpayer usefounder Abubakar Salim told Wired. In contrast to its Afrofuturism spaciousIt will be a horror title to introduce players to something new. “We’re taking some distance from it Kenzera’s story Universe,” says Salim.

Salim also added that the horror genre is “an interesting space that taps into primal emotions, immersing the audience 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, aside from 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,” says Salim.

Pocketfire Publishing has not announced any other future projects. The company has been embroiled in legal drama since last year, when Nintendo Filed a case Tokyo is also demanding Palworld Infringes its copyright. Nintendo did not respond to a request for comment. Asked if the case was a concern for Sargent, Salim said the studio was not worried. “We are really excited to work with their new publishing wing to bring this game to life,” he said.