“Unrecord”: Tencent Funds Viral Bodycam Shooter to Full Production

Remember the bodycam shooter that went viral in 2023? Unrecord stunned the internet with its photorealistic footage. Now, the project has secured the financial backing it needs to reach its full potential. Drama Studios announced that the Chinese megacorp “Tencent” has taken a minority stake in the studio.

Consequently, the game’s development is now fully funded. This marks a massive shift for a project that began in the hands of just two bedroom programmers.

Unrecord: From Prototype to Full Production

Alexandre Spindler and Drama Studios first revealed Unrecord back in 2023. The reveal video quickly amassed tens of millions of views. However, the photorealistic camera footage was so convincing that some observers claimed it was fake. To prove the game’s legitimacy, the studio had to release additional footage.

For those who thought Unrecord was fake or a video, sorry. 😌 pic.twitter.com/41ESKMISy1

— Alexandre Spindler (@esankiy) April 20, 2023

The team has evolved significantly since that viral moment. Initially, the two-man team worked sleepless nights with limited finances and no industry experience. Today, the studio has grown to 10 developers and is still hiring. This new budget allows Drama Studios to move beyond the prototype stage and focus entirely on production.

Strategic Silence Until 2026

The studio is now adopting a “dark” development strategy. They want to avoid revealing unfinished work to ensure they raise the bar for quality. Therefore, fans should not expect major updates soon. Drama Studios plans to share updates in 2026 that will reflect their true final vision.

Tencent’s Mark Maslowicz stated that the corporation is impressed by the drive and dynamism of the small team. He believes this investment will help the studio unlock its potential to deliver outstanding games.

Creative Identity & Immersion

Drama Studios CEO Theo Hiribarne noted that Tencent approached the partnership with respect for the studio’s creative identity. Furthermore, the studio aims to create one of the most immersive games ever.

This focus on extreme realism may reignite debates regarding the game’s taste, specifically concerning the perspective of a cop engaging in combat. Nevertheless, the team remains focused on its goal. With full funding secured, Unrecord is finally on the path to becoming a finished reality.