Abubakar Salim, renowned for his acting roles in popular series and video games, shocked the gaming world when he announced his secret project, Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, at The Game Awards 2023. While Salim is best known for his portrayal of Bayek in Assassin’s Creed Origins and his upcoming appearance in House of the Dragon, he has been secretly developing an action-adventure platformer as the founder of Surgent Studios. This game, published by EA Originals, is a deeply personal endeavor for Salim, incorporating themes of grief and personal loss. In this article, we delve into the development process of Tales of Kenzera and explore how Salim’s own experiences have shaped the game’s narrative.
Salim’s desire to create a game stemmed from his love for storytelling, instilled in him by his father. According to Salim, his father had a knack for gripping storytelling, which inspired him to understand and empathize with the world. As he ventured into the realm of gaming, Salim recognized the emotional power and transformative nature of the medium. With Tales of Kenzera, he sought to convey the intricacies of grief, while also incorporating player agency into the storytelling process. By allowing players to navigate Zau’s journey through the colorful world of Kenzera, Salim aims to celebrate the love and connection experienced with lost loved ones rather than dwelling solely on sadness and loss.
Tales of Kenzera stands out not only for its emotional depth but also for its unique blend of vibrant visuals, fast-paced action, and incorporation of Bantu mythology. Salim drew inspiration from his father’s stories about traditional healing practices, known as nganga, and wanted to explore and celebrate Bantu mythology within the game. While filming Raised by Wolves in South Africa, Salim was exposed to a rich array of cultures and mythologies, further fueling his interest in the subject. By embracing Bantu mythology, he wanted to offer players a fresh perspective and engage them in a fascinating and less explored narrative realm.
Salim’s decision to tell Zau’s story through a game, as opposed to film, was deliberate. He recognized that gaming has a unique ability to immerse players and require them to actively participate in the narrative. With the game adopting a Metroidvania style, players are dropped into an unknown world, mirroring the experience of navigating through grief. As they delve deeper into the game, they uncover new tools and abilities, much like the ongoing process of understanding and coping with grief. Salim also pays homage to his own personal connection to gaming, having played side-scrollers with his father in the past.
Salim intends to break away from traditional narratives surrounding grief, emphasizing that it is a complex and multifaceted experience. In Tales of Kenzera, grief is depicted as messy and chaotic, not limited to moments of sadness and weightiness. This perspective allows the game to capture the various elements of grief, including relief and confusion. Surgent Studios prioritized honesty throughout the game’s development, aiming to convey a genuine human truth that resonates with players. Salim acknowledges that while the game is influenced by his personal experiences, it has evolved into its own entity, capturing a broader spectrum of emotions shared by the entire development team.
As the release of Tales of Kenzera approaches, Salim describes the entire process as surreal and admits to still processing the magnitude of the project. The announcement at The Game Awards 2023 has catapulted the game into the spotlight, increasing anticipation and excitement among fans. With Salim’s dedication to storytelling, blended with captivating gameplay and emotionally charged exploration of grief, Tales of Kenzera: ZAU promises to be a truly unique and profound experience in the world of gaming.
Abubakar Salim’s entry into game development with Tales of Kenzera: ZAU marks a significant milestone in his career. Through this action-adventure platformer, Salim aims to share his personal journey of grief while celebrating love and connection. The incorporation of Bantu mythology adds an intriguing element to the game’s narrative, offering players a fresh perspective. As the release date approaches, fans eagerly await the opportunity to embark on Zau’s emotional and visually stunning journey through the vibrant world of Kenzera.
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