Dreams on a Pillow: A Bold New Game by a Palestinian Innovator

Dreams on a Pillow is a compelling video game that delves into the heart-wrenching events of the 1948 Nakba, during which approximately 700,000 people were forced to flee their homes and lands due to Zionist occupation.

Created by Palestinian developer Rasheed Abu-Eideh, this game is described as a “pseudo-3D stealth adventure.” It explores the poignant transformation of a land filled with people into a people left without land. Before diving further into this intriguing new venture, let’s look back at Abu-Eideh’s earlier work.

In 2016, Abu-Eideh brought us Liyla and the Shadows of War, a game inspired by the 2014 Israeli military operation known as Operation Protective Edge in Gaza. Liyla narrates the story of a Palestinian girl and her family trying to survive amidst the chaos in their war-torn neighborhood. Although it’s brief, the game is powerfully emotional and skillfully combines platforming mechanics with a choose-your-own-adventure style of storytelling. In 2021, Liyla was part of an Indie Bundle Pack that successfully raised nearly $900,000 for Palestinian aid through UNRWA USA.

Today, Liyla and the Shadows of War is accessible for free on mobile and Windows platforms. However, the journey to its acceptance was not smooth. In 2016, Apple initially rejected the game from their App Store, deeming it too political to be classified as a game. Instead, they suggested it should fall under “News” or “Reference.” This sparked a debate, as Eurogamer highlighted the contradiction: while Liyla was denied its rightful place as a game, Apple had no qualms about listing a game titled Israeli Heroes. After Abu-Eideh aired his grievances on social media, Apple eventually relented, allowing Liyla to be classified as a game.

Dreams on a Pillow is currently seeking support through crowdfunding on LaunchGood until January 13. The funds from this campaign aim to support asset creation, outsource work, and provide salaries for Abu-Eideh’s dedicated team of nine. With aspirations for a launch in the fourth quarter of 2026, this game holds promise to be a significant addition to the gaming landscape.