After the emotional journey of Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, Surgent Studios is exploring new worlds! They jump into the dark side of showbiz with their next project: Dead Take. This will be a psychological horror game set behind the scenes of Hollywood.
Even more exciting? Two of the most beloved video game actors are taking the lead: Neil Newbon (Astarion, Baldur’s Gate 3) and Ben Starr (Clive, Final Fantasy XVI / Verso, Clair Obscur: Expedition 33).
In Dead Take, both actors appear in live action, not just as voices or motion capture. Think Immortality, but with even more tension. The story follows two actors, Chase Lowry (Newbon) and Vinny Monroe (Starr), who are auditioning for the same mysterious role: “Willie.” What starts as a competition soon spirals into something far darker.
A Story Born From Real Hollywood Shadows
The project is really personal for Abubakar Salim, founder of Surgent Studios and an actor himself (you may know him as Bayek from Assassin’s Creed Origins). Drawing from real-life experiences in the entertainment industry, Salim wanted Dead Take to explore the often hidden horrors of “making it” in Hollywood.
“I didn’t want them hiding behind animated characters,” Salim explained in an interview with Eurogamer. “We always see them as Astarion or Clive. But who are they when they’re just themselves, on camera, in the raw?“
Salim also focused on the real-life bond between the three creators, having gone through shared struggles as actors. That trust, he says, is what gives Dead Take its emotional weight.
A Twisted Escape Game Experience
Described by Salim as an “inverted escape game,” Dead Take promises a real mix of gameplay and storytelling, with both live-action sequences and immersive horror mechanics. It is going to be a unique and traumatic experience.
Dead Take is set to release later this year on PC. We will keep you updated as soon as more information releases, so keep on eye on our latest news!
