MY SHOES, YOUR FEET | ABUBAKAR SALIM | RSA FILMS x SURGENT STUDIOS Surgent Studios 2024-04-18 | Many of you have noticed that Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is supported by Ridley Scott Associates. Today I’m proud to reveal what that means.Over the past few months, I’ve written and directed my first short film with the support and guidance of RSA Films.It tells the real story behind ZAU, showing how hard it is to reach out. To try to connect to others while you’re going through it. To make the choice to be seen.I’m honoured to share this piece of myself with you now. It’s the ideal primer for Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, and it’s my love letter to my father and to everyone out there who holds the pain of loss in their heart.- AbuPre-order ZAU: ea.com/en-gb/games/tales-of-kenzera/zauPlay the Demo: store.steampowered.com/app/2316580/Tales_of_Kenzera_ZAUFollow Surgent: twitter.com/surgentstudiosFollow Abu: twitter.com/AbzybabzyProduction company - RSA Films @ridleyscottcg & Surgent Studios @surgentstudiosExecutive Producer - Luke ScottExecutive Producer - Nancy Ryan @nook80Director - Abubakar Salim @abzysalimProducer - Amara Rossell @amararossell1st AD - Ty Hack @tyyhackProduction Assistant - Ella Crawford @ellacrawfordProduction Runner - Sonny Cannatella @sonnycannatellaAD Runner - Jess Lee @jessicaolivialee1st AC - Oliver Bingham @oliver_bingham1st AC Day 3- Stefen Ofori @essofori2nd AC - Scarlett Gardner @scarlettgartmanCamera Trainee - Max Bent Marshall @maxbentmarshallSteadicam - Beau Pritchard @beauxpjGaffer - Salvador Gomez @glofilmlightingSpark - Declan Duffy @declanlikesflowersSpark - Charlie Lodge @charlie_lodgeProduction Designer -Lottie Toon @lottienotArt Director - Elis Agurp @eliagrupVideo Playback - Von Adams @vonadmasSound Recordist - Danny Hilton @hiltsldnCamera Driver - Charlie Maddocks @cbemaddocksOffline post house - The Assembly Rooms @the_assembly_RoomsEditor: Amanda Marie- Rose @amandaldnPost Producer - Taise Kerr @taiskerrColourist - Vlad Barin @vladb.cColour Producer - Mike Coley @mikecoley_culkin
BEHIND THE SCENES | DEAD TAKE | BEN STARR, NEIL NEWBON + MORE Surgent Studios 2025-08-14 | Dead Take is OUT NOW on Steam and the Epic Games Store! 🏰 Set in a beautiful but eerie Hollywood mansion🔎 Play as an actor (Neil Newbon) searching for his missing friend (Ben Starr)🧩 Solve puzzles in the abandoned mansion✂️ Splice together live action videos🎥 Discover cameos from an all-star castAlso starring:Jane PerryAlanah PearceWith cameos from:Connor CDawgVA ColquhounLaura BaileySam LakeMatthew MercerSam Willingham🎞️ Dead Take on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/3352690/Dead_Take🎞️ Dead Take on Epic Games Store: store.epicgames.com/p/dead-take-532460A dark psychological horror about two actors vying for the same role, made by the BAFTA-winning team behind Tales of Kenzera: ZAU.Dead Take is a first person escape-room-style horror set in a luxurious and private Hollywood mansion belonging to a powerful film exec. As Chase (Newbon), enter the mansion and solve puzzles as you explore in search of your friend, fellow actor Vinny (Starr). Are you ready to take your shot?---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Follow Surgent StudiosX - https://x.com/surgentstudiosTikTok - tiktok.com/@surgentstudiosInstagram - instagram.com/surgentstudiosBlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/surgentstudios.bsky.socialFollow Pocketpair PublishingX - https://x.com/pocketpairpblshAbout Surgent Studios:Surgent Studios creates games about the things that make us human. The BAFTA-winning studio behind Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is currently working on a number of projects including Project Uso, an Afro-gothic action-horror RPG set in the Tales of Kenzera universe, which the studio revealed in 2024. For more information, visit surgentstudios.com/. About Pocketpair Publishing:Pocketpair is a Japanese video game developer best known for their hit game Palworld, as well as their other popular titles Craftopia and Overdungeon. Founded in April 2015, the company has gained international recognition for developing innovative games that blend various genres and gameplay mechanics. For more information, visit pocketpair.jp/publishing
BEN STARR + NEIL NEWBON PLAY TAKE YOUR SHOT | DEAD TAKE Surgent Studios 2025-08-07 | Dead Take is OUT NOW on Steam and the Epic Games Store! 🏰 Set in a beautiful but eerie Hollywood mansion🔎 Play as an actor (Neil Newbon) searching for his missing friend (Ben Starr)🧩 Solve puzzles in the abandoned mansion✂️ Splice together live action videos🎥 Discover cameos from an all-star castAlso starring:Jane PerryAlanah PearceWith cameos from:Connor CDawgVA ColquhounLaura BaileySam LakeMatthew MercerSam Willingham🎞️ Dead Take on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/3352690/Dead_Take🎞️ Dead Take on Epic Games Store: store.epicgames.com/p/dead-take-532460A dark psychological horror about two actors vying for the same role, made by the BAFTA-winning team behind Tales of Kenzera: ZAU.Dead Take is a first person escape-room-style horror set in a luxurious and private Hollywood mansion belonging to a powerful film exec. As Chase (Newbon), enter the mansion and solve puzzles as you explore in search of your friend, fellow actor Vinny (Starr). Are you ready to take your shot?---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Follow Surgent StudiosX - https://x.com/surgentstudiosTikTok - tiktok.com/@surgentstudiosInstagram - instagram.com/surgentstudiosBlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/surgentstudios.bsky.socialFollow Pocketpair PublishingX - https://x.com/pocketpairpblshAbout Surgent Studios:Surgent Studios creates games about the things that make us human. The BAFTA-winning studio behind Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is currently working on a number of projects including Project Uso, an Afro-gothic action-horror RPG set in the Tales of Kenzera universe, which the studio revealed in 2024. For more information, visit surgentstudios.com/. About Pocketpair Publishing:Pocketpair is a Japanese video game developer best known for their hit game Palworld, as well as their other popular titles Craftopia and Overdungeon. Founded in April 2015, the company has gained international recognition for developing innovative games that blend various genres and gameplay mechanics. For more information, visit pocketpair.jp/publishing
DEAD TAKE | OUT NOW | OFFICIAL LAUNCH TRAILER Surgent Studios 2025-07-31 | Dead Take is OUT NOW on Steam and the Epic Games Store! 🏰 Set in a beautiful but eerie Hollywood mansion🔎 Play as an actor (Neil Newbon) searching for his missing friend (Ben Starr)🧩 Solve puzzles in the abandoned mansion✂️ Splice together live action videos🎥 Discover cameos from an all-star castAlso starring:Jane PerryAlanah PearceWith cameos from:Connor CDawgVA ColquhounLaura BaileySam LakeMatthew MercerSam Willingham🎞️ Dead Take on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/3352690/Dead_Take🎞️ Dead Take on Epic Games Store: store.epicgames.com/p/dead-take-532460A dark psychological horror about two actors vying for the same role, made by the BAFTA-winning team behind Tales of Kenzera: ZAU.Dead Take is a first person escape-room-style horror set in a luxurious and private Hollywood mansion belonging to a powerful film exec. As Chase (Newbon), enter the mansion and solve puzzles as you explore in search of your friend, fellow actor Vinny (Starr). Are you ready to take your shot?---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Follow Surgent StudiosX - https://x.com/surgentstudiosTikTok - tiktok.com/@surgentstudiosInstagram - instagram.com/surgentstudiosBlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/surgentstudios.bsky.socialFollow Pocketpair PublishingX - https://x.com/pocketpairpblshAbout Surgent Studios:Surgent Studios creates games about the things that make us human. The BAFTA-winning studio behind Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is currently working on a number of projects including Project Uso, an Afro-gothic action-horror RPG set in the Tales of Kenzera universe, which the studio revealed in 2024. For more information, visit surgentstudios.com/. About Pocketpair Publishing:Pocketpair is a Japanese video game developer best known for their hit game Palworld, as well as their other popular titles Craftopia and Overdungeon. Founded in April 2015, the company has gained international recognition for developing innovative games that blend various genres and gameplay mechanics. For more information, visit pocketpair.jp/publishing
DEAD TAKE | FULL CAST REVEALED | OFFICIAL TRAILER Surgent Studios 2025-07-16 | Dead Take is coming to Steam and the Epic Games Store on 31 July, 2025. 🏰 Set in a beautiful but eerie Hollywood mansion🔎 Play as an actor (Neil Newbon) searching for his missing friend (Ben Starr)🧩 Solve puzzles in the abandoned mansion✂️ Splice together live action videos🎥 Discover cameos from an all-star cast🎞️ Dead Take on Steam: store.steampowered.com/app/3352690/Dead_TakeA dark psychological horror about two actors vying for the same role, made by the BAFTA-winning team behind Tales of Kenzera: ZAU.Dead Take is a first person escape-room-style horror set in a luxurious and private Hollywood mansion belonging to a powerful film exec. As Chase (Newbon), enter the mansion and solve puzzles as you explore in search of your friend, fellow actor Vinny (Starr). Are you ready to take your shot?---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------Follow Surgent StudiosX - https://x.com/surgentstudiosTikTok - tiktok.com/@surgentstudiosInstagram - instagram.com/surgentstudiosBlueSky - https://bsky.app/profile/surgentstudios.bsky.socialFollow Pocketpair PublishingX - https://x.com/pocketpairpblshAbout Surgent Studios:Surgent Studios creates games about the things that make us human. The BAFTA-winning studio behind Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is currently working on a number of projects including Project Uso, an Afro-gothic action-horror RPG set in the Tales of Kenzera universe, which the studio revealed in 2024. For more information, visit surgentstudios.com/. About Pocketpair Publishing:Pocketpair is a Japanese video game developer best known for their hit game Palworld, as well as their other popular titles Craftopia and Overdungeon. Founded in April 2015, the company has gained international recognition for developing innovative games that blend various genres and gameplay mechanics. For more information, visit pocketpair.jp/publishing
NEIL NEWBON | CHASE LOWRYS AUDITION TAPE | DEAD TAKE Surgent Studios 2025-07-10 | WISHLIST IT: bit.ly/DeadTakeDead Take stars Neil Newbon as Chase Lowry and Ben Starr as Vinny Monroe: two actors vying for the role of "Willie" in a big Hollywood exec's next film. Players will take on the role of Chase as he solves puzzles and splices together live-action footage while searching for Vinny at the exec's mansion where he disappeared after a glitzy party the night before.
BEN STARR | VINNY MONROES AUDITION TAPE | DEAD TAKE Surgent Studios 2025-07-10 | WISHLIST IT: bit.ly/DeadTakeDead Take stars Neil Newbon as Chase Lowry and Ben Starr as Vinny Monroe: two actors vying for the role of "Willie" in a big Hollywood exec's next film. Players will take on the role of Chase as he solves puzzles and splices together live-action footage while searching for Vinny at the exec's mansion where he disappeared after a glitzy party the night before.
NEIL NEWBON AND BEN STARR CAST AS LEADS IN DEAD TAKE | SURGENT STUDIOS Surgent Studios 2025-07-01 | Two actors. One role. And zero cares in the world.Dead Take. Starring Neil Newbon and Ben Starr. Coming soon.Wishlist it on Steam: bit.ly/DeadTake
DEAD TAKE | SECOND TEASER | SURGENT STUDIOS Surgent Studios 2025-06-26 | Dead Take is a game about success. There's nothing wrong with a little success.Wishlist it on Steam: bit.ly/DeadTake
DEAD TAKE | Teaser | Surgent Studios Surgent Studios 2025-06-03 | Feed me something real.Find your missing friend. Uncover the secrets within. Brave a luxurious and haunting mansion in Dead Take, a first-person psychological horror crafted by Surgent Studios and published by Pocketpair Publishing.Coming soon.Wishlist Dead Take on Steam: bit.ly/DeadTake
Sophie Simnett + Abubakar Salim | Drama school, selling sweets + seeing the world like a kid Surgent Studios 2024-09-25 | Get Abubakar's game, Tales of Kenzera: ZAU: ea.com/en-gb/games/tales-of-kenzera/zauSophie Simnett (Daybreak, The Lodge) and Abubakar Salim (House of the Dragon, Raised by Wolves) sit down to talk about their real opinions on drama school, what it actually takes to be a director, and why it's so important to connect to your inner child and play.Follow Sophie: instagram.com/sophiesimnett/?hl=enFollow Abubakar: https://x.com/AbzybabzyFollow Surgent Studios: https://x.com/surgentstudios
Steve Toussaint + Abubakar Salim | Meeting on House of the Dragon + top acting advice Surgent Studios 2024-07-29 | Get Abubakar's game, Tales of Kenzera: ZAU: ea.com/en-gb/games/tales-of-kenzera/zauSteve Toussaint (Corlys Velaryon) and Abubakar Salim (Alyn of Hull) from House of the Dragon sit down to talk about their acting journeys, their first encounter, and what it’s like to be in the world of acting.Follow Steve: https://x.com/StevieToussaintFollow Abubakar: https://x.com/AbzybabzyFollow Surgent Studios: https://x.com/surgentstudios
Neil Newbon + Abubakar Salim | How we got started, how we met, and why we act | Surgent Podcast Surgent Studios 2024-05-23 | Follow Neil: https://x.com/NeilNewbonFollow Abubakar: https://x.com/AbzybabzyFollow Surgent Studios: https://x.com/surgentstudiosGet Tales of Kenzera: ZAU: ea.com/en-gb/games/tales-of-kenzera/zau
MUSIC + SOUND DESIGN IN TALES OF KENZERA: ZAU | SURGENT STUDIOS Surgent Studios 2024-05-09 | Our Lead Audio Designer, Rob, and Composer, Nainita, discuss how they worked together to create the sounds of Kenzera, exploring various influences and explaining how support from the art team contributed to the overall sound design.Stream the Original Soundtrack: lnk.to/TOKZ-ostPlay ZAU: http://x.ea.com/78912Follow Surgent: twitter.com/surgentstudios
WRITING TALES OF KENZERA: ZAU TOGETHER | Becoming friends and making mistakes | SURGENT STUDIOS Surgent Studios 2024-03-28 | Abubakar Salim and Dominic Hodge met under unusual circumstances. Once they dusted themselves off, however, they became fast friends bonded by their love of storytelling, games and D&D. Find out how they turned that passion for creating worlds into the collaboration they always dreamed about when they were kids.Pre-order ZAU: https://www.ea.com/en-gb/games/tales-...Follow Surgent: twitter.com/surgentstudios
MAKING A GAME THAT FEELS RIGHT | TALES OF KENZERA: ZAU | SURGENT STUDIOS Surgent Studios 2024-03-13 | Chief Technical Officer, Patrick Balthazar, and Lead Designer, Zi Peters, discuss the collaborative efforts to make Tales of Kenzera: ZAU a game that not only looks right but feels right, and how the team dynamics have shaped their experience as a whole.Pre-order ZAU: ea.com/en-gb/games/tales-of-kenzera/zauFollow Surgent: twitter.com/surgentstudios
ART + ANIMATION IN TALES OF KENZERA: ZAU | SURGENT STUDIOS Surgent Studios 2024-03-06 | Lead Animator Griffin Warner and Lead Artist Ackeem Durrant go all in on how they worked together to make Tales of Kenzera: ZAU a bright, visually arresting game that pays homage to its roots in Bantu mythologies and cultures.Pre-order ZAU: ea.com/en-gb/games/tales-of-kenzera/zauFollow Surgent: twitter.com/surgentstudios
FIRST LOOK: NEW VFX | KALUNGAS BLESSING | TALES OF KENZERA: ZAU | SURGENT STUDIOS Surgent Studios 2024-02-11 | Hear the story behind the Kalunga's Blessing VFX variant available to those who pre-order Tales of Kenzera: ZAU from Surgent founder and CEO Abubakar Salim, Lead Animator Griffin Warner and Lead Artist Ackeem Durrant.Pre-order ZAU: ea.com/en-gb/games/tales-of-kenzera/zauPlay the Demo: store.steampowered.com/app/2316580/Tales_of_Kenzera_ZAUFollow Surgent: twitter.com/surgentstudios
REACTING TO THE ZAU REVEAL | SURGENT STUDIOS Surgent Studios 2024-02-11 | Surgent devs reminisce on the night it all began: when ZAU was announced at The Game Awards 2023.Play the ZAU demo: store.steampowered.com/app/2316580/Tales_of_Kenzera_ZAUFollow Surgent: twitter.com/surgentstudiosPre-order ZAU: ea.com/en-gb/games/tales-of-kenzera/zau
Ben Starr + Abubakar Salim | Dealing with grief, why we love games, and how we met | Surgent Podcast Surgent Studios 2023-12-08 | Abubakar Salim and Ben Starr met in drama school. They shared a love for games, but didn’t know it. Now, they both work in the industry. In this hour-long conversation, they discuss what made them decide to finally embrace the truth: they truly love everything about games.United in their experience of playing atypical heroes, Abu and Ben share what it’s like to work with creative teams that give them the freedom to play, explaining how people can only really connect with a performance that feels real. Both having the opportunity to originate their characters, they discuss how games can tackle some of life’s most painful trials…yet still somehow make them fun.When discussing games’ unique quality of being fuelled by emotional input, Abu and Ben list what they believe to be the gold standard of recent games and share deeply personal stories about how some more unexpected titles directly helped them through hard times. They chat about the unique approach their parents took to games when they were younger, tracing their most well-known performances to their considerable experience with a controller in hand. From chasing performances that feel truly “gross” to admitting genuine nervousness when presenting something new to devoted fans, Abu and Ben get candid about their careers, how they met and why they love seeing fans who wear their support on their sleeves.Why games? What makes them different? And will they even stick with it? Find out in this hour-plus conversation between drama school friends who just want to play.Follow Abubakar: twitter.com/AbzybabzyFollow Ben: twitter.com/The_Ben_StarrFollow Surgent Studios: twitter.com/surgentstudiosPre-order Surgent's first game, Tales of Kenzera: ZAU: http://x.ea.com/78917
HOW I STARTED A GAMES/FILM/TV STUDIO | Abubakar Salim Surgent Studios 2023-07-05 | HOW I STARTED A GAMES/FILM/TV STUDIOSurgent Studios is a transmedia studio founded by Abubakar Salim in 2019. Currently in production on a video game with EA Originals, Surgent brings a pioneering philosophy to storytelling and sets out to immerse, illuminate and inspire with deeply human stories. In this video, Abubakar (Assassin's Creed, Raised by Wolves, House of the Dragon) goes in-depth on why he started Surgent, how it came about, and what inspires the stories the studio is creating.SUBSCRIBE - youtube.com/@surgentstudiosWEBSITE - surgentstudios.comINSTAGRAM - instagram.com/surgentstudiosTIK TOK - tiktok.com/@surgentstudiosSURGENT NEWSLETTER - surgentstudios.com
THE NEW STORYTELLERS | SURGENT STUDIOS Surgent Studios 2023-05-24 | SURGENT STUDIOS BRINGS A PIONEERINGPHILOSOPHY TO STORYTELLING ACROSSFILM, TELEVISION, GAMES AND EMERGINGPLATFORMS.Founded by actor Abubakar Salim (Raised by Wolves, Assassin's Creed, House of the Dragon), Surgent Studios is a media company that brings a pioneering philosophy to storytelling across screen, games and emerging platforms.Our captivating storyworlds are designed to be told across multiple platforms, allowing us to bring each story to life in the most compelling medium.Drawing from the social themes that shape our world, we create brave and original narratives that resonate with today’s global audience.
