In an exciting development for the gaming world, former Microsoft executive Dr. Sajid Farooq and Red Dead Redemption 2 developer James Rackliffe have come together to establish ILHAM, a new game studio dedicated to bringing fresh cultural perspectives into the industry. With years of AAA game development experience, the founders aim to infuse Middle Eastern and Indian Subcontinental influences into their projects, aiming to deliver something innovative and culturally unique.
A New Horizon for Gaming
ILHAM’s debut project is set to be an AA open-world survival game for both PC and consoles. With a focus on challenging gameplay and deep narrative, this title seeks to push the boundaries of the survival genre, a challenging feat that veteran developers like Farooq and Rackliffe seem determined to achieve. This ambition follows in the footsteps of other recent industry shifts, where seasoned professionals—such as Stig Asmussen’s Giant Skull and Dan Houser’s Absurd Ventures—are crafting distinct, story-driven IPs. These studios are focused on rich, immersive worlds, and ILHAM aims to stand out by integrating cultural storytelling that remains largely unexplored.
Unique Cultural Influence
Rackliffe has expressed a clear vision for ILHAM’s debut title, which plans to delve into Middle Eastern lore and mysticism, offering a fresh lens on storytelling in games. The team believes this new perspective could not only enrich the gaming landscape but also provide a compelling journey for players seeking depth beyond traditional survival mechanics. By combining challenging gameplay with cultural depth, ILHAM’s first game promises to deliver a unique experience for seasoned players ready for something truly different.
With this project, ILHAM hopes to redefine the genre by bridging narrative-driven survival gameplay with underrepresented cultural elements, setting the stage for more diverse storytelling in gaming.
