Resurrecting the Past: A Palestinian Developer’s Vision
Rasheed Abueideh, an innovative Palestinian game developer, has successfully raised over $200,000 to bring to life his bold new project, Dreams on a Pillow. Following his acclaimed game Liyla and the Shadows of War, which depicted the struggles of a young girl during the 2014 Gaza conflict, Abueideh continues to address complex themes rooted in Palestinian history. This upcoming title is a pseudo-3D stealth adventure that treads delicately into the dark waters of the 1948 Nakba, a period referred to as “the catastrophe” by the United Nations.
Storyline: The Heart-Wrenching Tale of Omm
Dreams on a Pillow centers on a poignant narrative revolving around Omm, a young mother whose life spirals into chaos as Israeli invaders murder her husband. In her frantic escape, she mistakenly carries away a pillow instead of her newborn child, leading her on a harrowing journey that touches on themes of loss, madness, and desperate yearning for home. The game’s plot does not shy away from the stark realities faced by Palestinians, showcasing the stark emotional landscape of their struggle.
Crowdfunding: A New Path to Creative Freedom
Abueideh’s venture into crowdfunding comes after facing challenges in securing support from publishers, who deemed his content “too controversial”. With the backdrop of Israel’s ongoing conflicts forcing him to abandon his nut roastery business in Nablus, Adueideh fully embraced his return to gaming. The campaign’s success highlights not only the demand for authentic narratives in gaming but also the importance of supporting voices that strive to illuminate underrepresented stories of history.
