Latest news with #AlecNewman
Forbes
12-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Forbes
2024's Best Horror Game ‘Still Wakes The Deep' Gets Scarier DLC
Still Wakes the Deep's follow-up, Siren's Rest, is landing on June 18. Just when you thought you were out of the water, The Chinese Room pulls you back in. Out of nowhere, the indie developer has announced and will soon release Still Wakes the Deep's DLC expansion, Siren's Rest. Still Wakes the Deep has been revived in a way that only makes the whole experience more claustrophobic and horrific, playing on its mantra of finding every single possible way to sink itself under your skin — this time, you get to relive the hellscape of the Beira D oil platform underwater. Set in 1986, 10 years after the events of Still Wakes the Deep, Siren's Rest places you in the role of sole explorer Mhairi as she hops into a diving bell in the middle of the North Sea to explore the remains of the ill-fated drilling rig. Armed with only a camera, cutting torch, and crowbar, she surveys the wreckage both underwater and in the few remaining air pockets, hoping to learn what happened to the crew — but naturally, not everything is as dead as presumed. Still Wakes the Deep, one of the top-three best indie games of 2024, was the deserved winner of three BAFTA Games Awards (second only to Astro Bot with five), thanks in part to its cast — two of its awards were for the ceremony's only both performer awards, namely lead role (Alec Newman as Cameron 'Caz' McCleary) and supporting role (Karen Dunbar as Finlay). As I said in my original review, it's a masterpiece of game acting, and to keep that spirit alive, this DLC sequel has enlisted top-tier talent to play on its biggest strength. FEATURED | Frase ByForbes™ Unscramble The Anagram To Reveal The Phrase Pinpoint By Linkedin Guess The Category Queens By Linkedin Crown Each Region Crossclimb By Linkedin Unlock A Trivia Ladder Siren's Rest, written by Sagar Beroshi of Helldivers 2 fame, introduces Lois Chimimba (Atomfall, Shetland, Doctor Who) as Mhairi, alongside Lorn Macdonald (Bridgerton, The Lazarus Project) and veteran voice artist David Menkin (Final Fantasy XVI, Valorant), once again overseen by SWTD's lead voice director Kate Saxon. This one's had a bad time of it. For its little faults, 'Still Wakes the Deep' was probably the best ... More horror game of last year. If you've still not played it, you're missing out on a unique experience that finds multiple ways to freak you out, especially as you're an everyman character with no weaponry. Still, you might need subtitles if you're an American (or even southern British TBH; I was luckily born and raised not far from the Scottish border). It plays to better side of The Chinese Room's unpredictable back catalog ('Dear Esther'? Amazing! 'Little Orpheous'? Nah.) I've never felt more unsafe in a believable and carefully curated environment. Take a punt on it - in "How Long To Beat" terms, think of it as 'Avengers: Infinity War' and 'Endgame' put together, but it's all set on an oil rig in the 1970s and you gradually watch your fellow crew members turn into the worst monsters possible. The trailer and screenshots of Siren's Rest point to plenty of 'if you know, you know' moments — undoubtedly encouraging a fresh playthrough for existing fans of Still Wakes the Deep like me — but it also unlocks yet another reason for SWTD virgins to punish themselves with mid-70s, Scottish-themed sadness, despair, and body horror. I've always been a poltroon when it comes to horror games, but I managed to complete this one with only light degrees of discomfort, and I've recommended it to everyone I know; I've even bought it as a birthday present for three people. It's not exactly the most positive experience to reward becoming another year older, but whatever. Siren's Rest lands on June 18 for Xbox Series X/S, PS5, and PC via Steam and Epic Games Store. It takes about 1.5 to two hours to complete, and it costs $12.99 — well worth the money, if past experiences are to be believed. Meanwhile, if Still Wakes the Deep isn't your cup of tea, 2024's fellow, fear-filled classic Crow Country was a close second for the genre, and it's a near-perfect tribute to fifth-gen survival horror. It's also a lot less likely to force you to powerwash your trousers and/or seat of choice after playing.
BBC News
09-04-2025
- Entertainment
- BBC News
Karen Dunbar wins Bafta for Still Wakes the Deep video game role
Actor and comedian Karen Dunbar is celebrating winning a Bafta for her debut in the world of video games. The Chewin' The Fat star was named best performer in a supporting role for Still Wakes the Deep, a first-person horror set on a Scottish oil rig, at the 21st Bafta Game and fellow Scot Alec Newman won best performer in a leading role at the ceremony in London on told the audience: "I've been nominated for many a Scottish Bafta but never won. And yet here I am in the gaming community , thank you so much." Still Wakes the Deep follows offshore electrician Caz, played by Newman, and his co-worker Finlay, played by Dunbar, who are trapped on a damaged North Sea drilling platform in are pursued by mysterious monsters and have to deal with terrible weather conditions. Players must rely on stealth and puzzle-solving to stay developers - Brighton based games company The Chinese Room - cite classic horror and science fiction films and TV shows such as Annihilation, John Carpenter's The Thing and Sapphire and Steel as inspirations. The trailer for the game and its soundtrack features the Gaelic song 'Fath Mo Mhulaid A Bhith Ann' (Being Here Has Caused My Sorrow), performed by Maggie MacInnes, and the game has a Gaelic subtitles director John McCormack said this was an attempt to reflect its "uniquely Scottish story"."After listening to 'Fath Mo Mhulaid A Bhith Ann' for the first time, it was clear that the game experience wouldn't be complete without a full translation deeply connected to the history and people of Scotland," he Alec Newman is perhaps best known for playing head master Michael Byrne in the BBC series Waterloo Road from also played Paul Atreides in the 2000 mini-series of Dune, and has appeared in Outlander, Shetland and Call The Midwife.A prolific games actor, he thanked the makers of Still Wakes the Deep for giving him the role."Your attention to detail is phenomenal, and was an inspiration to me from the moment I first read for Caz McLeary," he Secret Mode said they were delighted with the awards."We're thrilled for Alec and Karen who played a huge part in bringing this wonderful game to life," the company's James Schall said. Dunbar told BBC Scotland News she was "gob-smacked" to have said she attended the awards with the hope of meeting one of her favourite actors Matt Berry - star of vampire comedy What We Do in the Shadows. "Part of the surprise is I was up against Matt Berry and I love him," she said. "I felt I had to go to possibly meet him and maybe mingle a bit."When they said my name I started clapping, thinking it was Matt Berry. Then I was like 'Oh my God, it's me'."This isn't false modesty," she added. "I know when I'm good and I know when I'm not and I was good in that game."This was her first video game acting role, an experience she enjoyed and compares to working on a radio play. Sonic the Hedgehog's mum Dunbar performed remotely from Glasgow while her co-stars and director were in a studio in London and she believes her relative lack of experience in the genre may have helped free her up to play the role."I didn't have any preconceptions, I just played the character. I was ignorant," she made the move into a new genre, she is now keen to continue working in games."Just to be in that world was so exciting. To see all those new people. I had no idea before and I really liked it, especially at my age when I have done most things," she said. And while the 54-year-old admits she has never been much of a gamer, the role of Finlay has opened up new opportunities for the future."The last game I played was Sonic the Hedgehog, so I would like to to play Sonic the Hedgehog's mum," she said.
Sky News
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Sky News
BAFTA Games Awards: Full list of winners
The BAFTA Games Awards celebrate gaming excellence and creative achievement in the best games of the last year. Hosted by comedian Phil Wang for the second year running, the biggest names in gaming gathered at London's Queen Elizabeth Hall. With 41 games nominated across 17 categories, here are all the winners - in bold - from the night. Animation Astro Bot Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 LEGO Horizon Adventures Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Thank Goodness You're Here! Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Artistic Achievement Astro Bot Black Myth: Wukong Harold Halibut Neva Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Still Wakes the Deep Audio Achievement ANIMAL WELL Astro Bot Helldivers 2 Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Star Wars Outlaws Still Wakes the Deep Best Game Astro Bot Balatro Black Myth: Wukong Helldivers 2 The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Thank Goodness You're Here! British Game A Highland Song LEGO Horizon Adventures Paper Trail Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Still Wakes the Deep Thank Goodness You're Here! Debut Game ANIMAL WELL Balatro Pacific Drive The Plucky Squire Tales of Kenzera: ZAU Thank Goodness You're Here! Evolving Game Diablo IV FINAL FANTASY XIV ONLINE No Man's Sky Sea of Thieves Vampire Survivors World of Warcraft Family Astro Bot Cat Quest III LEGO Horizon Adventures Little Kitty, Big City The Plucky Squire Super Mario Party Jamboree Game Beyond Entertainment Botany Manor Kind Words 2 (lofi city pop) Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Tales of Kenzera: ZAU Tetris Forever Vampire Therapist Game Design ANIMAL WELL Astro Bot Balatro Helldivers 2 The Legend of Zelda: Echoes of Wisdom Tactical Breach Wizards Multiplayer Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Helldivers 2 LEGO Horizon Adventures Super Mario Party Jamboree TEKKEN 8 Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Music Astro Bot Black Myth: Wukong FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Helldivers 2 Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Star Wars Outlaws Narrative Black Myth: Wukong Dragon Age: The Veilguard FINAL FANTASY VII REBIRTH Metaphor: ReFantazio Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Still Wakes the Deep New Intellectual Property ANIMAL WELL Balatro Black Myth: Wukong Metaphor: ReFantazio Still Wakes the Deep Thank Goodness You're Here! Technical Achievement Astro Bot Black Myth: Wukong Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Tiny Glade Warhammer 40,000: Space Marine 2 Performer in a Leading Role Alec Newman as Cameron 'Caz' McLeary in Still Wakes the Deep Humberly González as Kay Vess in Star Wars Outlaws Isabella Inchbald as Indika in INDIKA Luke Roberts as James Sunderland in SILENT HILL 2 Melina Juergens as Senua in Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Y'lan Noel as Troy Marshall in Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 Performer in a Supporting Role Abbi Greenland & Helen Goalen as The Furies in Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Aldís Amah Hamilton as Ástríðr in Senua's Saga: Hellblade II Jon Blyth as Big Ron in Thank Goodness You're Here! Karen Dunbar as Finlay in Still Wakes the Deep Matt Berry as Herbert the Gardner in Thank Goodness You're Here! Michael Abubakar as Brodie in Still Wakes the Deep
Yahoo
08-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
Astro Bot sweeps Bafta Game Awards with five wins
PlayStation game Astro Bot was the big winner at the 21st Bafta Game Awards, picking up five awards, including best game. The platform game, which was released to mark PlayStation's 30th anniversary, also picked up the awards for animation, audio achievement, family and game design. British game Still Wakes the Deep, a horror game set on a Scottish drilling platform, won three awards – new intellectual property, performer in a leading role for Alec Newman and performer in a supporting role for Karen Dunbar. The winner of the 2025 BAFTA for British Game is…Thank Goodness You're Here! 🎮 #BAFTAGamesAwards — BAFTA Games (@BAFTAGames) April 8, 2025 Elsewhere, independent Yorkshire studio Coal Supper's Thank Goodness You're Here! won the award for British Game and Senua's Saga: Hellblade II, which had led the field with 11 nominations, won the technical achievement award. Poker-themed Balatro won the award for debut game. There were also two wins for Helldivers 2, while Metaphor: Refantazio won the prize for narrative and Tales of Kenzera: Zau won the game beyond entertainment award. Meanwhile, the Bafta Fellowship was awarded to composer Yoko Shimomura, in recognition of her contribution to music in video games, which has included her work on the Kingdom Hearts series.
