Palestinian game developer Rasheed Abueideh is making waves in the gaming world once again with his latest project, Dreams on a Pillow. This ambitious title, inspired by real historical events, takes players back to the Nakba—the catastrophic displacement of over 700,000 Palestinians during the 1948 Palestine War. Abueideh has turned to crowdfunding to bring this deeply personal and culturally significant story to life.
Abueideh, based in Nablus in the occupied West Bank, is no stranger to tackling heavy themes. His earlier work, Liyla and the Shadows of War, explored the harrowing experiences of a Palestinian family during the 2014 Gaza War. Initially rejected by Apple as a “game,” Liyla sparked widespread discussion, earning critical acclaim, awards, and even contributing to a 2021 Palestinian Aid fundraiser that raised nearly $1 million for Gaza’s UN Relief and Works Agency.
With Dreams on a Pillow, Abueideh continues to push boundaries. The game retells a Palestinian folk tale against the backdrop of the Nakba. Its protagonist, a woman who mistakenly grabs a pillow instead of her child after her husband’s murder, must navigate dangerous terrain while battling grief and deteriorating sanity. The story, rich with emotional and cultural depth, aims to provide an alternative perspective on a region often misrepresented in mainstream narratives.
The road back to game development hasn’t been easy for Abueideh. After the success of Liyla, financial challenges forced him to step away from gaming and open a nut roastery in the West Bank. However, escalating conflicts made even that venture untenable. Undeterred, he has now turned to crowdfunding—a popular route for independent developers—to finance Dreams on a Pillow. Contributions will support salaries, asset creation, and outsourcing, helping the project transition from pre-production to full development.
The crowdfunding campaign, hosted on LaunchGood, has already raised over $50,000 from nearly 1,000 backers, with the goal of securing even more by its January 13, 2025 deadline. If successful, Dreams on a Pillow is slated for a Q4 2026 release.
With striking visuals and concept art shared on the campaign page, Abueideh’s vision for the game is both graphically compelling and emotionally resonant. As indie games continue to shed light on overlooked stories, Dreams on a Pillow promises to offer players a profound glimpse into a complex cultural and historical narrative.
Supporters worldwide are rallying behind the project, recognizing its potential to blend art and advocacy. If the success of Liyla is any indication, Dreams on a Pillow could mark another milestone in gaming’s ability to inspire empathy and awareness through storytelling.
