Dead Take Development Team Talks How Their Real-World Acting Experiences Inspired The Game

by

In Dead Take, a game by Surgent Studios, players delve into the grittier aspects of the acting world. The narrative revolves around two friends, Chase Lowry and Vinny Monroe (portrayed by Neil Newbon and Ben Starr), who are vying for the same role in Duke Cain’s newest film. Inspired by his own industry experiences, Creative Director Abubakar Salim has crafted characters that mirror real-life actors’ struggles and victories, with the cast drawing upon their personal frustrations and accomplishments to bring these characters to life.

Abubakar Salim Drew On Others’ Stories And His Own Experiences

At a gathering where Game Rant was present, Salim and Newbon shared insights about what fueled their creativity in developing “Dead Take” and portraying Chase Lowry respectively. Salim disclosed that his inspiration stemmed from personal acting experiences, as well as tales shared by other actors and actresses. He emphasized how the entertainment industry can transform an actor, shaping them into someone entirely new due to their quest for fame and success.

Salim clarified, “I’ve observed individuals who were almost on the verge of a major breakthrough, yet they seem to consistently come in second place.” This scenario is something I’ve spent a lot of time contemplating. The impact it has on an actor is one of my key interests.

Salim, founder of Surgent Studios and creator of Tales of Kenzera: Zau, has always been vocal about his mission to provide opportunities in an industry notorious for falling short. He selected Starr and Newbon for the roles of Vinny and Chase because he believed they had faced similar struggles, which would enable them to bring authenticity to their characters in the game.

Chase Lowry Was “Deeply Personal” For Neil Newbon

Newbon candidly admitted during an interview that portraying Chase Lowry was challenging for him. He based this performance on his own experiences, which include both triumphs, like his acclaimed role as Astarion in ‘Baldur’s Gate 3’, and hardships he’s encountered throughout his career. These struggles have made his journey difficult, but they also helped him convey Chase’s feelings of desperation and frustration authentically.

Being an actor is incredibly demanding and requires significant sacrifices, which people often don’t fully appreciate until they’ve walked the path themselves. It’s one thing to be told it will be tough, but quite another to truly grasp the depth of the challenge when you’re immersed in a creative profession. This is because it’s then that you truly comprehend the extent of self-sacrifice for an artistic pursuit, something deeply meaningful to you.

It turns out that Newbon hadn’t realized it initially, but when portraying the character Chase, he didn’t base it on personal experiences – a detail his friends eventually brought to his attention. Excitedly, he admitted there was a hint of Troy Baker in the role. “Troy is amazing,” Newbon said. “He’s not only an exceptional actor but also a powerful force in the gaming world and truly paved the way for all of us.” He went on to call Troy Baker one of the early game industry superstars, adding that he looked up to him so much that it seemed natural to draw inspiration from Baker when creating the character Chase Lowry.

The “Dead Take” game stands out as being significantly more chilling and eerie compared to Surgent Studios’ previous productions such as Salim and Newbon. Players are encouraged to immerse themselves fully by using headphones and keeping a trusted friend nearby for tense moments. A key aspect that makes the game so unsettling is its exploration of the idea that success often brings setbacks, along with the lengths some actors will go to in their dedication to their craft.

Read More

2025-07-24 16:11