Dreams on a Pillow: An Innovative Game by a Palestinian Creator

“Dreams on a Pillow” offers a poignant video game journey into the events of the 1948 Nakba, a historical episode that saw around 700,000 people lose their homes and land in the wake of Zionist pressures.

Crafted by Palestinian game developer Rasheed Abu-Eideh, “Dreams on a Pillow” presents itself as a unique pseudo-3D stealth adventure, chronicling the transformation of a land rich with people into a void where they no longer belong. Before diving deeper into this intriguing project, it’s worth looking back at Abu-Eideh’s earlier work, which also delved into profound narratives.

Back in 2016, Abu-Eideh launched “Liyla and the Shadows of War,” a deeply emotional game rooted in the realities of the 2014 Israeli assault on Gaza, known as Operation Protective Edge. In this game, players follow the harrowing journey of a young Palestinian girl and her family as they maneuver through devastating attacks on their neighborhood. Seamlessly blending platform gameplay with choose-your-own-adventure elements, the game strikes a powerful chord. In 2021, it featured in an Indie Bundle Pack, playing a part in raising nearly $900,000 for Palestinian aid through UNRWA USA.

“Liyla and the Shadows of War” is currently available for free on mobile and Windows platforms. However, its road to recognition was fraught with challenges. When it first hit the scene in 2016, Apple’s App Store initially declined to categorize it as a game, urging instead for “News” or “Reference” designation due to its political content. This inconsistency sparked controversy, especially when Eurogamer highlighted that while “Liyla” faced pushback, a game called “Israeli Heroes” had no such hurdle. It was only after Abu-Eideh took to social media to voice his complaint that Apple reversed its stance, finally allowing “Liyla” to be recognized as a game.

As for “Dreams on a Pillow,” Abu-Eideh is currently seeking funding through a LaunchGood campaign, set to run until January 13th. The funds are earmarked for asset development, team salaries, and outsourcing needs, supporting a dedicated team of nine people with the goal of releasing the game in the last quarter of 2026.