Abubakar Salim, the visionary founder of Surgent Studios, has recently unveiled the gameplay for the highly anticipated live-action horror game, Dead Take. Set to launch on Steam and the Epic Games Store on July 31, this project marks a significant departure from Salim’s previous roles as an actor, notably in HBO’s House of the Dragon. Instead, he takes on the mantle of creative director at Surgent Studios, a company he established in 2019.
Before embarking on this new venture, Surgent Studios released the side-scrolling Metroidvania game Tales of Kenzara: Zau in April 2024. Despite its artistic aspirations, the game did not achieve the commercial success the team had hoped for, prompting a pivot towards a follow-up project, Project Uso. Unfortunately, funding for this initiative fell through, leading to layoffs in July 2024 and casting doubt on the studio’s future.
However, a turning point arrived in January 2025 when Surgent Studios secured funding through a partnership with Pocketpair Publishing. This support allowed the team to shift their focus to Dead Take, a psychological horror game that draws inspiration from Salim’s own experiences in the entertainment industry. “The question is how far will someone go to succeed in the entertainment industry?” Salim posed during a recent press briefing.
Game Mechanics and Narrative
Priced at an accessible , Dead Take boasts a live-action film-like aesthetic, crafted using Unreal Engine 5. The game invites players to step into the shoes of an actor named Chase Lowry, portrayed by Neil Newbon, who embarks on a quest to find his missing friend, Vinny Monroe, played by Ben Starr. The narrative unfolds within a luxurious yet eerie mansion, reminiscent of settings found in horror classics like The Evil Within.
Players will navigate through a series of escape-room-style puzzles while piecing together fragmented video files that reveal the unsettling truths lurking behind the glitzy facade of Hollywood. As they delve deeper into the mansion’s secrets, they encounter a legendary producer named Duke, whose unraveling sanity adds to the tension.
“The house is watching. It seems to haunt your steps,” Salim remarked, emphasizing the psychological depth of the game. Players must confront the darker aspects of the entertainment industry, exploring themes of ambition, betrayal, and the often unspoken struggles faced by actors.
In addition to the compelling gameplay, the cast of Dead Take features notable talent, including Jane Perry from Baldur’s Gate 3 and Alanah Pearce from Cyberpunk 2077. The game also includes cameo appearances from industry veterans such as Laura Bailey, Matthew Mercer, and Travis Willingham, enhancing the immersive experience.
Salim has expressed a commitment to creating a supportive environment for the cast, allowing them to improvise and enrich the narrative. He encourages players to engage with the game using pen and paper, along with a good set of headphones, to fully appreciate the intricate storytelling and atmospheric sound design.
While the game does not rely heavily on graphic violence, Salim prefers to categorize it as psychological horror, focusing on the mental and emotional challenges faced by those in the industry. As players navigate the mansion’s haunting corridors, they will uncover a world filled with cruelty, gossip, and the relentless pursuit of success.
