EA to publish new game from Assassin’s Creed actor Abubakar Salim

Electronic Arts announced Thursday that it will publish a new, unannounced game from developer Silver Rain Games, a studio founded by actor Abubakar Salim, best known for his roles on HBO Max’s Raised by Wolves as Father and in Ubisoft’s Assassin’s Creed Origins as Bayek. Silver Rain’s game will be released through the EA Originals label, the company’s indie-focused brand responsible for games like Fe, Sea of Solitude, and It Takes Two.

Salim co-founded Silver Rain in 2019 with head of studio Melissa Phillips, previously of BAFTA Games. According to a news release from Electronic Arts, Silver Rain was founded “with the intent to generate thought-provoking and innovative games and content across different mediums of entertainment.” Silver Rain has about 20 employees.

“In what has been a challenging year, we have assembled an extraordinarily creative and worldly team who are eager to work on projects that bring their global perspectives to life,” Salim said in a statement. “Together we will construct an exciting universe that unlocks the power of storytelling and the brilliance that brings. We couldn’t be happier to work with the EA Originals team, who are phenomenal partners for us as we begin this journey. Not only does each of them understand our vision to inspire and entertain, but they also welcome this exciting new age of game development.”

Photo: Silver Rain Games

Photo: Jordan Anderson/BAFTA

“We have spent the last year really growing our team and have some exceptionally talented people supporting us on putting this game together,” added Phillips. “I am so excited to see the team grow again and really have the opportunity to showcase the quality of the work they are creating.”

Details on Silver Rain’s first game were not revealed.

Electronic Arts announced the EA Originals program in 2016. The publisher said at the time that it established EA Originals to foster “unique, gorgeous, innovative and memorable” games. In Silver Rain’s case, EA “will provide funding to Silver Rain’s unannounced IP, as well as guidance and support in the team’s journey to bring a fresh perspective to games and to the industry.”