From Press Release:
REDWOOD CITY, Calif. – April 23, 2024 – Today, Electronic Arts Inc. (NASDAQ: EA) and Surgent Studios welcome adventurers to embark on a magnetic coming-of-age story of perseverance in Tales of Kenzera™: ZAU, available now on PlayStation®5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store and EA app for $19.99*. Set against an intricate tapestry of Bantu culture-inspired environments and lore, Tales of Kenzera: ZAU guides players through a Metroidvania-inspired journey exploring the resonant love between a father and son, self-discovery, resilience and finding courage within oneself after loss.
“Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is a culmination of years of dedication and exploration, and telling Zau’s story has been a vulnerable and unforgettable creative endeavor,” said Abubakar Salim, Surgent Studios founder and BAFTA-nominated actor. “Video games are an incredible storytelling medium that have the power to transport players to new realms and evoke powerful emotions through both new and familiar experiences; bringing Zau’s story to life made me feel closer to my late father, and honoring our memories together through this powerful medium has been an absolute blessing. We’re so thrilled to finally share Tales of Kenzera: ZAU with the world and hope that players will find as much inspiration, excitement and healing in the game as we did in bringing it to life.”
In Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, players step into the shoes of Zau, a warrior-shaman grappling with profound loss as he endeavors to resurrect his father from the clutches of death. Guided by Kalunga, the God of Death, Zau navigates mystical 2.5D realms, striving to harness the cosmic powers of the sun and the moon.
Tales of Kenzera: ZAU takes players on an evocative voyage of spiritual healing in which resilience in the face of adversity reveals one’s true character and strength. Featuring stunning visuals, a stellar cast of talented voice actors and a captivating soundtrack set to multi-award-winning composer, Nainita Desai’s enchanting original score, Tales of Kenzera: ZAU weaves together Bantu inspiration and futuristic vibrancy to craft a world brimming with tales of ancient shamans, sacred spirits and mesmerizing creatures. Meticulously crafted animation immerses players in the true power of cosmic energies through the Sun and Moon masks, engaging in rhythmic combat to vanquish restless spirits.
“Like everyone who meets Abu, I was struck by his passion for storytelling, his conviction in building his studio and their debut title Tales of Kenzera: ZAU,” said Jeff Gamon, General Manager, Electronic Arts Partners. “Surgent Studios has created a challenging and vibrant platformer with a resonant story of strength and bravery. We believe that this brilliant EA Originals title will strike an emotional chord for many players.”
Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is available now in retail and digital storefronts for PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X|S, Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam, Epic Games Store and EA app for $19.99 USD. The game will be accessible to players with voiceovers available in English and Swahili. The Tales of Kenzera: ZAU original soundtrack with music by Nainita Desai will be available to stream or purchase on April 26 on Apple Music, iTunes Store, Amazon Music, Spotify, Tidal, YouTube Music and Deezer.
Watch the official launch trailer here. Additionally, learn more about Abubakar and his journey in “My Shoes, Your Feet,” a short film made in partnership with Ridley Scott Creative Group exploring why he created Tales of Kenzera: ZAU.
Tales of Kenzera: ZAU is rated ESRB EVERYONE 10+ and PEGI 7. For more information and to stay up to date on Tales of Kenzera: ZAU, visit https://www.ea.com/games/tales-of-kenzera/zau
