Surgent Studios has announced a new horror game titledDead Take, which features Neil Newbon ofBaldur’s Gate 3fame andClair Obscur: Expedition 33’s Ben Starr.Dead Takeis the second game to come from Surgent Studios, after the 2024 Metroidvania titleTales of Kenzera: Zau.
Among the current crop of voice actors in the gaming industry, Neil Newbon and Ben Starr are two very popular names, thanks to their starring roles in multiple hit titles. While Newbon made his mark through memorable roles such asDetroit: Become Human’s Elijah Kamski andBaldur’s Gate 3’s Astarion, Starr’s portfolio also boasts noteworthy credits, such as playing Clive Rosfield inFinal Fantasy 16and starring as Verso inClair Obscur: Expedition 33. Courtesy of Surgent Studios, these actors have joined forces for an upcoming game.
Surgent Studios unveiledDead Take, a psychological horror game coming to Steam in 2025, with Newbon and Starr in the lead roles of Chase Lowry and Vinny Monroe, respectively. Backed by Pocketpair Publishing,Dead Takehas been described as a “twisted” taleof the entertainment industry’s power and corruption. Its story takes place in the Hollywood Hills mansion, a lavish but secluded place, and follows the journey of an actor on the lookout for his missing friend. The freshly announced game will involve players making their way through escape room-like puzzles and splicing together live-action clips, as the “dark secrets” of the industry come to the surface.Dead TakeCreative Director Abubakar Salim said that “some of the horror stories” shared between him and the aforementioned duo “built the foundations of this game.”
Dead Take’s announcement also came with an accompanying trailer, which showed glimpses of Newbon and Starr in the game. It also revealed the in-game cinema where players will be able to view clips and splice them together. There were shots of a few different environments from the game as well, ranging from a dance club to a red carpet area. Intriguingly, the trailer also hinted at a third character, Willie, who seems to be connected to both Lowry and Monroe. It’s worth noting thatDead Takemarks the early days in the gaming industry for both its developer and its publisher, being only the second game built by Surgent Studios and the first game to bepublished byPalworldcreator Pocketpair’s label.
In October 2024,Surgent Studios and its financial troublesbecame known afterTales of Kenzera: Zaudidn’t sell well despite receiving good scores from critics and multiple award nominations. Hence, for the future of the company’s gaming venture,Dead Takeappears to be crucial, at least from a financial standpoint.
