Surgent Studios

Abubakar Salim is the founder of Surgent Studios and the creative director of the upcoming live-action horror game, Dead Take, which will launch on Steam and the Epic Games Store on July 31. Surgent Studios, established in 2019, previously released the side-scrolling Metroidvania game Tales of Kenzara: Zau in April 2024, which did not achieve commercial success. Following funding issues for a project called Project Uso, the studio faced layoffs in July 2024. In January 2025, Surgent Studios secured funding from Pocketpair Publishing, allowing them to focus on Dead Take, inspired by Salim's experiences in the entertainment industry. Dead Take features a live-action film-like aesthetic created with Unreal Engine 5 and follows an actor named Chase Lowry, who searches for his missing friend in a mansion reminiscent of horror classics. The gameplay includes escape-room-style puzzles and fragmented video files revealing Hollywood's unsettling truths. The game explores themes of ambition and betrayal, with a cast that includes Neil Newbon, Ben Starr, Jane Perry, and Alanah Pearce, along with cameos from industry veterans. Salim emphasizes psychological horror over graphic violence, focusing on the emotional challenges within the industry. Players are encouraged to engage with the game using pen and paper and headphones for a richer experience.