Hi, it’s been a while since we have updated you on the Palestinian Voices in Games initiative.

In May we got the opportunity to present PVG at the arthouse game festival A MAZE, in Berlin. This was quite important for us since A MAZE was where we first began to talk and organize this initiative, back in 2024. We were able to take the stage and introduce the 4 developers we are currently working with, as well as their respective projects. Now it’s time to introduce them to you!

Rasheed Abuideh: Dreams on a Pillow

First of all, Rasheed Abueideh and his game “Dreams on a Pillow”. The game refers to a legend of a young mother who flees the 1948 Israeli massacre in Tantura. She rushes home to save her newborn child, only to discover later that, in her haste and terror, she had mistakenly grabbed a pillow instead of her baby. Dreams on a Pillow is a big project that has already been successfully crowdfunded.

Rasheed's core team is already in place, and it includes two volunteer 3D artists from the program.

Iasmin Omar Ota: Being 2 (working title)

Iasmin Omar Ota is looking to create a sequel to their 2018 game “Being”. The game was about the life of Palestinians during the past century, ranging from perpetual grief to enduring hope. Now Iasmin is working on its spiritual successor, a visual novel set in a futuristic Palestinian space colony. The player will have to fix the colony during a black out, which will lead to flashbacks / hallucinations allowing them to see past memories of Palestine and Palestinians. Find out more here.

Iasmin currently needs modest financial support so that they can take some time to work on a first prototype. Please contact Pierre (pcorbinais@protonmail.com) if you want to help support their project.

Yusra: RiYafa

Yusra has a background in psychology and design and wants to use her games to tell the story of her family and community in a way that combines testimony and symbolism. Her new project “RiYafa” is set in a dark underwater world which you will have to navigate to find your way. In the background, you will see Palestinian lands that are being colonised right now and listen to testimonies from the Palestinian diaspora.

This game will be made for mobile and Yusra is currently looking for assistance with programming. Please contact Marie (marie.janin@gmail.com) if you’re interested in helping this project.

Yasmine Batniji - Pomegranates

We are also just starting to work with Yasmine Batniji, AKA Gabbah Baya, who is working on the game Pomegranates and plans to complete a vertical slice this summer. The game oscillates between the present and future Gaza, telling stories from the current, ongoing war.
Batniji’s project currently requires financial support - any sum helps! For more details, click here.

We are always looking for volunteers to help us with the organization of Palestinian Voices in Games and our network, so if you’re interested in joining, please feel free to reach Pierre at pcorbinais@protonmail.com.